Partnerships

Too often, we at Sylvia’s Sisters hear heartbreaking stories of how the lack of period products deeply impacts the lives of low-income menstruators. In the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing some of these stories.

Today, we’re sharing a story from Pilar Ortiz-Waters, the program director at the Liberation Family Resource Center.

“The area the LFRC is located in is a food desert and 60% of people fall 200% under the poverty line. Through our food pantry, we welcome about 550 people a week…One day, an unhoused gentleman came through the pantry and took a chance to ask for pads for his wife. There is always a hesitation when people ask for things they do not think we have. When I let him know that I had some, he literally cried. He said that his wife could not come with him to the pantry because she was on her period and did not have pads. He had to leave her in the woods where they stayed and was eager to get back to her. He was fearful of her being alone. When he left, he told all of the people in line that we had period products. A few young girls approached me and asked if they could have some too. They let me know that their mother did not have any pads at home. I was able to serve them as well. Since collaborating with Sylvia’s Sisters, I always have products on hand and no longer have to say ‘no’ when someone asks.“