In recognition of Giving Tuesday, Project Marilyn, a non-profit organization in Southern Nevada, is grateful to the community for aiding in the goal to end period poverty. 1 in 4 women are unable to afford period supplies and feminine hygiene products are the least donated supplies. The charity provides monthly feminine hygiene products to homeless women and teens in need. Founded by ‘Aunt Flow’s Fairy Godmother,’ Wendi Schweigart, whose foundation was in tribute to her Mother, was inspired by the desire for every woman to have dignity with her period. PERIOD.
“Our mission is simple; tampons, pads and hygiene wipes that are put together in a bag, with the quantity being such that it will last a women her entire cycle. So many other organizations are already giving “hygiene” items, such as toothpaste, toothbrushes and deodorant. We want to stay true to our mission which is to provide menstruation supplies only. We hope that by providing for this specific need, we can support other non profits in their greater mission to better the lives of women and teen girls in our community,” says, Project Marilyn founder, Wendi Schweigart.
Each bag contains 15 tampons 5 maxi pads 5 wipes, to supply them for the entire cycle of their period each month, Project Marilyn now has partnered with several organizations including, The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), Salvation Army, Project 150, Refuge for Women, The Hoving Home, The Las Vegas Rescue Mission, Casa de Luz, The Shade Tree and Veteran’s Village and more. Additionally, Project Marilyn “popped-up” with The Just One Project, Pop Up and Give, Mobile Food Pantry at Wooley Elementary School and gifted 80+ bags for families and young adults. This continued relationships with the nonprofits will help serve their female population.
“We are so grateful to the community for their generous support and wish to thank the following for donations: NDL Group, Inc., WHSAN, NJS Reps, Richard Harris Law Firm, Bank of George, IREM, Tary Insurance (Farmers) Las Vegas Door and Glass and Cragin and Pike and Veterans Village (also a partner). Plus, several businesses have volunteered to come pack bags, including IIGT’s (International Game Technology) Women Inclusion Network, Cushman Wakefield, Prologis, Brookhollow Group, USOA Mrs. Nevada and #USOATeenNevada, Sun Commercial Real Estate and Sun Commercial Property Management. The support has been overwhelming and all of us at Project Marilyn are so thankful to this companies,” says Schweigart.
Project Marilyn has also been named the official Southern Nevada Alliance for Period Supplies and partnered with the national organization, the Alliance for Period Supplies. Recently the Alliance and U by Kotex donated 490 cases of Maxipads.
For more information on Project Marilyn or how to give and volunteer, visit www.ProjectMarilyn.com or follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/projectmarilynlv/ and Instagram, Project.marilyn.lv.
