Most of us take for granted things like shampoo, deodorant, toilet paper and other personal care hygiene products. Even though many homeless women have access to government assistance programs, these items of personal hygiene are not covered. Personal hygiene and our health are intimately interwoven. Unfortunately, poor hygiene is an inevitable result of homelessness. Homeless women have made it a habit in reusing materials and not washing as needed. Establishing proper hygiene is a key to a sense of self and better health.
Many times a homeless girl or woman will try to utilize a homeless shelter or a day center for their hygiene needs. However, just because they may have access to a shelter doesn't guarantee that they will be able to bathe due to the number of homeless and the shortage of available resources. It is our mission to restore dignity and hope, one bag at a time. Each bag includes; liquid soap, feminine wipes, feminine wash, lotion, a small water bottle, lip balm, toothbrush,toothpaste, deodorant, chocolate, granola and a hand written scripture card.
When families are on a low-income and unable to afford personal care items, they utilize a variety of coping strategies. These strategies include substituting, using less, borrowing or just doing without. The delaying of good personal hygiene habits raise concern about potential risks to the health and well-being of many teenage school girls. Young women in Middle Tennessee are missing school as often as monthly for a simple reason – they can't afford feminine hygiene products when they’re on their periods.
According to an article published in the Leaf Chronicle, April 22, 2016 - "The 2016 count estimated almost 500 Clarksville residents who fit one of the many definitions of homelessness - of those 500, 262 are school-aged children."
While schools are closed, if you or anyone you know needs hygiene (especially feminine) products, PLEASE let me know and I will make arrangements to make the products available.
One of the easiest things everyone can do is to spread the word about the need for support for girls and women who don't have access to quality feminine hygiene products.
If you would like to make a financial donation to Friends of Aunt Flo, it's really easy to do.
With your generous donations, we plan to raise money and awareness for the health of homeless women. Your money will be used to purchase tampons, pads and other items necessary to maintain proper personal hygiene.
We can assure you that 100% of your donation goes to help homeless and low-income girls and women and all the money stays in Montgomery County, TN.
We are deeply grateful and so are the people we help.
Normally, when people think of product drives, they think about food or clothing or certain types of hygiene products. Unfortunately, period hygiene products are usually neglected and overlooked.
Feminine hygiene products are essential and they are rarely donated to homeless shelters, probably due to lack of conversation about them.
Would you help by sponsoring a dignity product drive at work, school, church, with neighbors, or another group?
If you’re somebody who thinks it’s important to help homeless women keep their dignity by having access to clean, safe menstrual supplies, then you should think about having a fundraising event or a hygiene product drive.
Get in touch and we will help you with the details.
One of the best ways to get personal hygiene products to us is to order through Amazon and have the products shipped directly to Friends of Aunt Flo.
If you are a small group or other organization unable to purchase products, we could sure use your help in writing scripture verses/encouragement cards to go along with donations.
Thanks to Pleasant View Baptist Church, Clarksville, TN for their generous donation of all the proceeds from their recent IF:Gathering. May God bless all you ladies.
