JACKSONVILLE, Texas (KLTV) -Two in five American women struggle to afford feminine hygiene products, and nearly one in four students faces that same barrier, according to the advocacy group PERIOD. St. Matthew United Methodist Church in downtown Jacksonville is working to address that need.
Mission committee identifies a need
The church’s mission committee is dedicated to meeting needs in the community. Jerri Likings sits on the committee and said one need often gets overlooked the most.
“Half the population does not think about what women have to go through every month half in their lives, and it can be devastating, you know, if you don’t have the things you need,” Likings said.
Likings said she is a school teacher and has seen the need for feminine hygiene products start earlier among students. She said some schools already have boxes where students can get feminine products.
Likings said the church’s Blessing Box began as her idea after she saw a similar box while estate sale shopping with her husband. She purchased a box, which was restored into the church’s Blessing Box.
Box evolved from food to books to hygiene
Reverend Barbara Hugghins, the mission committee chairperson, said this is not the first time the church has noticed a gap in the community.
“We’ve always tried to be aware of needs in our community. We felt there was a need for the Blessing Box,” Hugghins said.
Hugghins said the Blessing Box provides food and bottled water, including food that can be eaten by hand, for people who stop by when they have a need. She said the congregation keeps the box stocked with food weekly.
Hugghins said the church later added a book box, which holds children’s books, adult books, magazines and pamphlets. Karen Henley, Lynn Ousley and Vivian Toland are on the committee that helps maintain the book box.
Hugghins said the church is now expanding to a personal hygiene box that will include toothbrushes, toothpaste, washcloths and soap. She said the idea for including feminine hygiene products came after a volunteer spoke with a woman at the Blessing Box who said she needed feminine hygiene products and napkins.
The church has also provided coats for kids, school supplies, as well as warm socks and gloves in the winter, according to Hugghins.
Newspaper dispensers repurposed for community use
Old newspaper dispensers are being transformed into boxes for the community. One holds food and water, another holds books. The church is now creating one for personal hygiene items.
Volunteers are handling every step themselves, including sanding, painting and stocking the shelves by hand. Likings said the box will be available to anyone who stops by.
“Ladies can come, no questions asked. You know, we’re not shaming anyone. You can come get what you need,” Likings said.
Likings said the same product insecurity also affects incarcerated women.
Other resources and barriers to access
Likings said other Jacksonville churches work with the East Texas Food Bank, and the Sheltering Arms Coalition provides meals on Sundays at noon, while Hope provides meals Monday through Friday. She said the Blessing Box is meant to supplement those resources for people who may not be able to reach them.
Likings said barriers such as lack of transportation and untreated mental illness can prevent people from reaching other organizations that provide food or supplies. She said people sometimes wait nearby until volunteers leave before approaching the box.
How to help
Where to drop off donations:
St. Matthew United Methodist Church, 201 S Bonner St, Jacksonville, TX 75766 (Blessing Boxes outside the church)
What to donate:
ToothbrushesToothpasteWashclothsSoapFeminine hygiene products
Those who would like to donate can also drop off food and books for the church’s other Blessing Boxes.
Hygiene box expected to open next week
The hygiene box is expected to be ready next Monday. Hugghins said those interested in helping with the hygiene box project can also give through the church’s website giving page or stop by in person.
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