Junior League collecting items to fight “Period Poverty”

POUGHKEEPSIE – The Junior League of Poughkeepsie (JLP) is seeking donations for their annual “Operation Holiday Box” to help area females that are suffering from “Period Poverty”.  The JLP is collecting tampons, pads, feminine hygiene products, and gift cards that can be used to purchase those products that will be distributed to local middle and high school girls throughout Dutchess County.

“Period Poverty” is described as the lack of access to menstrual products, education, hygiene facilities, waste management, or a combination of those issues.  According to the JLP, nearly 1 in 5 girls nationally struggle to afford period products, causing them to miss work, miss school, and fall behind their fellow male students, and can create a financial and emotional burden on households. Several studies have shown that nearly two-thirds of women in the US with low income cannot afford feminine hygiene products.  Many of those surveyed indicated that they are regularly forced to choose between buying food or menstrual products.

JLP “Operation Holiday Box” Chairwoman Linda Fakhoury says that “This isn’t an easy topic to talk about, but it’s happening. We believe all female students deserve the opportunity to succeed and shouldn’t feel ostracized from life, school, work, and sports, because they can’t afford their basic necessities.”  Fakhoury added that “The JLP wants to do our part in helping these students and we know that as a community we can come together and make it happen!”

• Houlihan Lawrence, Lagrangeville Brokerage, 1325 Route 55, Lagrangeville, NY
• Courtyard by Marriott Poughkeepsie, 2641 South Road/Route 9, Poughkeepsie, NY