Friends, there is a harsh reality in the world around us. People living in poverty, unable to provide clothing, food, or shelter (basic needs) for their families. This shouldn’t be news to any of us, but today, I want to call attention to a special situation that is the harsh reality of poverty. Today, I am teaming up with a number of other local bloggers in a #BlogSwarm and we are going to bring it to you. This isn’t your typical ‘lil Burghers topic, but I urge you to listen.
As you know, my family and I strive to give back when we can, and we are involved in the Pittsburgh Tote Bag Project‘s efforts to provide food pantry patrons with sturdy tote bags to carry their food home in. Each month, the Project has been focusing on a partnership with causes, and this month is no different. This month, Women’s History Month, the Tote Bag Project has teamed up with On the Spot for a drive of (Tote Bags) and menstrual products for women across our county, and you can read more about it here. 
Did you know?
* We’ve all seen it–people laughing at the embarrassed dad or brother who has to go and get the “time of the month” supplies from the local pharmacy. Guess what? It’s real and it happens. And, it doesn’t happen. It’s not a laughing matter.
* Some families cannot afford to purchase menstrual supplies such as pads and tampons because their what money they have goes to covering the bills. SNAP (formerly Food Stamps) benefits have to go elsewhere (like…buying food) and do not cover for these basic need products.
* One tote bag of menstrual products will last a woman 6 months.
* This impacts your neighbors…and who knows. One day it could impact you.
You might wonder, why in the world would I want to dedicate a blog post to this cause? Well, let me tell you, I’ve seen it all first hand. When my dad was a pastor in Fayette County, we all volunteered at the Food Bank and I got to see the impact of women getting supplies such as pads and tampons–and these women were grateful that their needs were met. Come to think of it, being a pastor isn’t the world’s highest paying job, and I am pretty certain that my first few years of supplies were “made possible by” the Food Bank, too. (There are some things you don’t realize as a kid–I was too busy understanding that I had lights, heat, and a full belly to understand that my parents had to work hard to make those ends meet and that really, I didn’t have much more than the people I was “serving”. Isn’t God awesome how he makes us see only what we need to?)
Today, I urge you to do what you can to help this cause. Because Mr. Burgher and I love to coupon, we’ve been building up quite a stash of pads, liners, and tampons. But, we’d love to add more to the cause. Consider this–go to your local store of choice and pick up a pack (or two) of each. Drop them by our house, at my desk, or at my Grandma’s. We’ll gather them up and deliver them to the Tote Bag Project and On the Spot on your behalf. Or–let me know if you’d like us to do the shopping for you. While you’re at it, send over a few totes you aren’t using. (The Project could really use them.)
I really want to fill the car up with Sister Supplies for this worthy cause, but I can’t do it alone. Are you with me?