JFGP Women's Philanthropy

Presents

Dignity Grows

Dignity Grows™ provides monthly personal and menstrual hygiene products to women, girls and individuals assigned female at birth, who cannot afford them. Founded by the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford’s Women’s Philanthropy, Dignity Grows™ embodies the Jewish values of Tzedakah (righteousness) and Tikkun Olam (repairing the world).

In March 2021, Women’s Philanthropy of Greater Portland became the 15th chapter of Dignity Grows™ in the collective of 147 Jewish Federations known as JFNA (Jewish Federations of North America).

We are so excited about launching Dignity Grows in the Portland community!

There are two ways to become involved.

Volunteer to participate in a packing party.

Fill out the form below and you will be contacted prior to our next packing party.

Sponsor Dignity Totes

Each tote provides monthly personal and menstrual hygiene products to women, girls and individuals assigned female at birth, who cannot afford them.

Each tote is $10.

Sponsor Totes

Our Chapter

Volunteers will work with distribution partners and expand strategically as we grow our initiative in the Greater Portland-area.
Volunteers will have the opportunity to plan and participate in packing parties.
For more information contact:

Wendy Kahn

Why Are We Doing This

One in five American women can't afford menstrual supplies and toiletries. This inability creates barriers to education, employment and social connections. Feeling shame, some girls stay home from school during their periods, while women miss work, often losing wages. Government benefits like SNAP don't cover these necessities and they are rarely donated. Each Dignity Tote holds a month’s supply of sanitary pads and tampons, toothpaste and a toothbrush, a bar of soap, deodorant and shampoo.

Distribution Partner

Since 1968, Outside In has provided a safe, supportive, and inclusive place for health care, along with services to help the underserved and people experiencing homelessness achieve independence. Outside In’s clinic, a Federally-Qualified Health Center and youth department provide a comprehensive array of services to its patients.

Nicole Sacks, Chair, Dignity Grows Portland

More Information About Period Poverty

No, We Don’t Know if Vaccines Change Your Period

We do know that researchers do not study menstruation enough.

How To Start Tackling Period Poverty

Having to use cloth towels, rolled-up toilet paper, and cheaper, lower quality period products that are uncomfortable is a reality for many people who menstruate.

State of the Period

The widespread impact of period poverty on US students

1 in 10 college women face period poverty, a study shows.

Black and Latina women are most likely to report not being able to afford tampons and pads, the research shows

‘Period poverty’ is not just in developing countries:

It affects U.S. college women, too

For transgender men, pain of menstruation is more than just physical

Safety concerns and a lack of access to menstruation products are among the issues trans and gender-nonconforming people face during "that time of the month."

Changing the Cycle: Period Poverty as a Public Health Crisis

Access to menstrual products is a right, and feeling clean, confident, and capable during one’s period is a necessity. We can all work toward menstrual equity, and the opportunities are boundless.