Menstrual products can be an extra burden for lower income or unsheltered students if they or their families are not able to afford their costs. Often, students' educations are interrupted with the lack of access to period products. Making period packs available is important because no student should have their education disrupted by the anxiety that can arise from not having access to essential menstrual items which can result in lower productivity in the classroom or worse, missing school altogether.
Go With The Flow of Arizona was created in 2017 after Executive Director Demetra Presley became aware of school budget restrictions did not allot for an adequate supply of menstrual hygiene products for students.
Every year The Women's Giving Circle prepares more than 1,500 colorful fabric bags filled with period products for distribution to schools in the Greater Phoenix area by Go With the Flow. In six years we've provided 7,500 bags and 82,000 products.
The process begins with volunteers sewing the bags by members of the PebbleCreek community and TWGC. Each fall TWGC publishes a "Wish List" through Amazon and PebbleCreek residents donate the requested product. Each January, 60 women gather for a "Packing Party." In addition, mini-packing parties are held in private homes throughout the summer months to supplement our local schools when classes resume in August.
A link with our annual Amazon Wish List will be available on TWGC home page.
To begin the project, our sewers need fabric by June 1 to create bags for the 2027 project. Please contact Susie Malone at 612-388-7010 to arrange drop-off of fabric/cash donations.We are happy to purchase fabric on your behalf.
Our focus this year is to engage more members in the GWTF project. If you are interested in providing a helping hand, please email Karen Fiorenza at kmfior@aol.com. Please indicate if you are full-time or a snowbird and what you would be interested in doing. Assistance is needed in the fall to unpack and breakdown Amazon boxes, inventory product and email thank you notes to donors. In addition, assistance is needed preparing trays for the the January packing party.
GWTF is a really fun, worthwhile project and a great way to meet fellow members.