Did you know that 1 in 5 Maryland girls often miss school when they have their period? I had heard of “Period Poverty,” but thought it only occurred in other places, like African countries and India. Now that I knew it was a real problem in our own backyard, I decided to make a plan. Teaming up with the amazing Lynne Kahn from Baltimore Hunger Project helped me get started right away. Lynne connected me with the also amazing Lakisha Brown-Allen, a special educator (and seeming angel) at the Elementary Middle Alternative Program School (EMAPS) in Baltimore City. Mrs. Brown-Allen, a warm, caring woman with adversity in her own life, assured me that the lack of hygiene products for girls, some of whom are homeless, is a big problem in her school. She has a cart in her classroom where students know they can come for hygiene supplies, including toothbrushes, deodorant, even underwear. Through the BHP, I started a Facebook fundraiser and collected funds for period supplies.

I am happy to report my husband and I dropped off two big bins full of period supplies for the young women at the Elementary Middle Alternative Program School. And this is only the start! With help from the Baltimore Hunger Project, and donations from generous family, friends, and supporters, I plan to continue to support the young women of this school and hopefully expand to help many more girls in need.