So, I had a bunch of unused feminine products lying around, and I really didn’t want to just throw them away. It felt like such a waste, you know? I mean, these things are essential for so many people, and there are folks out there who can’t always afford them. So I thought, “Why not donate them?”
First, I tried to figure out where the heck I could actually donate these items. I started with what I know, and that’s the local homeless shelters and churches nearby. This worked, and I felt happy that I could make a difference.
Then I thought, what if some places wouldn’t accept open boxes? I called a few places like local food banks and women’s shelters to ask. I got lucky, one of the women’s shelters I called said they would take opened boxes, as long as the individual items were still sealed in their original packaging. They were actually in need of feminine products, so it was perfect timing.
I also did a little digging online and found out about a couple of organizations, like Project Beauty Share and Share Your Beauty. These organizations have specific programs for donating beauty and personal care items. I didn’t use them this time, but it was good to know they existed for the future.
Once I knew where to donate, I checked all of my unused pads. I realized some of the pads were past their “use by” date, and were dirty, so I just tossed them. I simply wrapped them in toilet paper and threw them in the trash.
I remembered someone once told me about a platform called “Free Pads for India.” They apparently work to raise awareness about period poverty and help distribute pads to those in need. I thought that was pretty cool, though I didn’t need it this time.
In the end, I gathered all the good-to-go products, popped them in a bag, and dropped them off at the shelter. It was such a good feeling to know that I could help out, even in a small way. I learned that there are a lot of places that will accept these kinds of donations, and I’ll definitely keep donating in the future.
