One of the most needed and most over looked item in shelters and food banks across the country are feminine products.  As this Huffington Post article explains, getting their period is one of the most difficult challenges faced by homeless women.  But it’s not just the homeless that struggle.  Low income families have a hard time affording feminine products.  I teach in a low income school and I know of girls that miss school every month because they can’t afford feminine products and their only alternative is to stay home until their time of the month passes.

Tampons and pads are needed in shelters and food banks all over Arkansas.  This month we are hoping that all of our AWBU members will try to give back to their community in some way and we will be hosting a feminine products drive.  Here is how it will work:

1. Collect Feminine Products
   Collect on your own or as a small group of bloggers.  Encourage your friends, neighbors, coworkers and blog readers to get involved.
2. Photograph Your Donation
   Since we are spread out across the state the best way to show all we’ve collected is to snap a quick photo.
3. Upload Your Photo to Instagram
   Share the photo of your donation on Instagram.  Be sure to use #ARWBGives and tag @ARWomenBloggers in your photo.
4. Drop Off Your Donation 
   Drop of your donation at a local shelter or food bank.  We are providing a list of a few possible places below.
5. Leave a Comment Below
   Leave a comment on this blog post to let us know that you participated along with a count of how many items you donated.

Our goal is for our members to collectively donate 200 packages of feminine supplies by May 31!

Here is a brief list of women’s shelters around the state.  This is not a comprehensive list and you can find more shelters here.  Additionally you may feel compelled to make  your donation to a local food bank, church shelter or other organization.  The goal is to make feminine products available to women in Arkansas so feel free to select where you make your donation at your own discretion.

Northwest Arkansas

Peace at Home Family Shelter
PO Box 10946
Fayetteville, AR 72703

Open Arms Food Pantry & Pregnancy Center
400 West st. (skating rink)
Huntsville, AR

Flint Street Food Bank
Eureka Springs, AR

Saving Grace Inc. 
1229 W. Poplar St.
Rogers, AR 72756 
Phone: (479) 636-1133
Fax: (479) 636-1865
http://www.savinggracenwa.org

Samaritan Center in Springdale
1300 N. Thompson
Springdale, 72764

Samaritan Center in Rogers
1211 W. Hudson Road
Rogers, 72756

Central Arkansas

The One, Inc. (Homeless women’s house) 
One warehouse
8016 Faulkner Lake Rd
North Little Rock, AR 72117

The Dorcas House
823 South Park
Little Rock, AR 72202
Phone: 501-374-4022

Northeast Arkansas

The Haven of Northeast Arkansa
P. O. Box 1062
Blytheville, AR 72316
Phone: 870-532-6669

Family Crisis Center, Inc.
P. O. Box 721
Jonesboro, AR 72403

Southeast Arkansas

Anna’s Place (Forrest City) 
406 Pecan Street
Helena, AR 72342
Phone: 870-338-8447 

Restoration of Hope
P. O. Box 812
Stuttgart, AR 72160

CASA Women’s Shelter
1113 State St
Pine Bluff, AR 71611
870-535-295

Southwest Arkansas

Abused Women and Children INC
PO Box 924
Arkadelphia, AR – 71923
(870) 246-3122