LIHU‘E — More than 200 “Kindness Totes” packed by Zonta Club of Kaua‘i members were distributed to representatives of four organizations, which will in turn give them to those in need, on Wednesday marking the close of “Zontians Oppose Period Poverty” campaign by the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i.
“Mahalo to the community that donated more than 600 pieces of period products, and to the Home Depot store for 20 boxes of maxi pads,” said a spokesperson for the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i. “The Zonta Club of Kaua‘i was a vessel who in turn gave freely the period products to the four recipient organizations.”
Kaua‘i Economic Opportunity, the YWCA of Kaua‘i, Catholic Charities Hawai‘i, and Wilcox Elementary School shared in the more than 20 totes and education on period poverty, which is the inadequate access to menstrual hygiene sanitary products for women, girls, and transgender individuals who are in need of period products.
Wilcox Elementary Principal Corey Nakamura said the products will be provided to the school’s health room.
Zontian Diana Harvey, representing Catholic Charities, said the organization will distribute the Kindness Totes to clients who are homeless, or on the verge of being homeless.
Loretta Ebnet of the YWCA of Kaua‘i said their allocation of bags will be distributed to its shelter survivors and other YWCA programs that support women.
Stephanie Fernandes and Bernie Tangalin, representing KEO, said their allocation of Kindness Totes will be distributed to KEO’s homeless clients, the transitional housing for women and teen girls, and also available in the support van on Kaua‘i.
During the campaign that started with the March 14 announcement of the collection of Period Poverty items for women, the response was surprising when one contributor at one of the six collection points, not only provided one contribution but returned to triple her contribution after becoming aware of Period Poverty and its impact on the community.
As an inaugural service project to raise awareness and collect products, the Zonta Club of Kaua‘i promised more campaigns on more frequent intervals.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
