Although most Days for Girls kits go to girls and women in developing nations, we are aware of many women struggling to afford feminine hygiene supplies in the US. This is being addressed in a variety of ways, including kit distributions in some locations. In Lane and Benton Counties, we are fortunate to have a recently formed nonprofit, Rosie Center, that provides supplies (of their choice) to women in shelters. Rosie is completely run by volunteer college and high school students!
You might also enjoy reading this article about what a college in Connecticut has done. I've previously posted articles about similar programs. I'm so pleased to see that this issue is being addressed, more and more!
OUR FIRST FIRST
November 5th was the first time for us to meet on the first Saturday of the month. It seems to work better for almost everyone. We had a great turnout, and accomplished quite a bit! We actually ran out of non-sewing jobs to do while sitting down (although there's always fabric to iron)! Many thanks to all the folks who joined us. We have some friends and sisters who use our workdays as a good time to catch up with each other, while working. It feels good to accomplish so much--especially while enjoying ourselves. Here are a few of the wonderful people who joined us this month, hard at work.
If the first Saturday doesn't work for you, but you'd still like to help, let me know. There are many tasks you can do at home too.
COMING OF AGE
Gwen has distributed our kits a few times to students in the communities served by her nonprofit, Friends of Kenya Schools and Wildlife. In January she'll be bringing 200 more kits to the girls coming of age since the last distribution. She recently asked for feedback from the girls who received the first batch a couple of years ago, and they said they appreciated the kits and still used them.
POVERTY
Days for Girls International provided a link to this TED talk which I think many of you will find interesting.
GETTING THE LOWEST PRICES
Some things I never paid attention to before Days for Girls lured me in . . .
Girls' underwear prices are their lowest in late summer, during the back-to-school sales. At Target and Walmart (and on their websites) we've been able to get briefs made by Hanes and Fruit of the Loom in 9-packs that not only had their prices sliced, but also included a bonus of 3 extra pairs. The best prices there work out to about 50¢ a pair. And if you have a Target card, you get an additional discount.
Discounts on flannel at JoAnn's are huge on Black Friday--and the lines are also epic. Watch the ads--sometimes the sale is other days too. I may try purchasing some online this year--it takes a while to scroll through to find the patterns that I prefer (and not all designs are available online), but probably not as long as standing in those lines. Often there's no shipping charge if your total purchase is more than $100 or something. In past years, Snuggle flannel prints that are regularly $6.99 could be purchased for about $2.00 a yard, with the lowered price plus a coupon. At that price, we buy by the bolt!! If you're interested in buying some flannel (and that's the kind of fabric we need the most of) to donate, remember to avoid any prints with light colors or depicting faces of any kind, weapons and camouflage. Here are a few of my favorites--great stain-hiding colors in busy patterns.
And of course, busy prints in thicker, more absorbent quilt shop-quality flannel are always received with delight.
If you do make donations and would like a receipt for tax purposes, please let me know.
IN DECEMBER
Our next workday will be the first Saturday in December, the 3rd.
We're at Our Sewing Room all day--I'm usually unloaded and ready to hand out tasks by 10:30, and we pack up and leave by 5 pm.
Please join us if you can--bring basic sewing supplies, and your machine if you can sew or serge. We really appreciate your help!
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