Providing pads for all women

The struggle for homeless women and girls trying to survive without feminine hygiene products is unbearable. In shelters they are given little resources, and on the streets they have nothing more than what they can afford. The cost of these products is already unusually high, and adding the tampon tax to the mix makes it even worse. This is what sparked Oak Park high schooler Lily Alter to create period kits for homeless women around Chicago. I looked at articles by the Chicago Tribune and Refinery 29 to learn the different ways news outlets are covering this story.

From Chicago Tribune, courtesy of Lily Alter

The Chicago Tribune article by Heidi Stevens is much more in depth when reporting on Alter's organization. It goes into detail about the contents of the FlowKits, the inspiration behind the project, and how far it has gone in so little time. The article provides photos of the product and Alter as well. Stevens even goes into detail on the current state of FlowKits, and how Alter has teamed up with her local church and women's home to continue to provide substantial feminine hygiene.

From Refinery 29 article, courtesy of Megan Madden
The Refinery 29 article by Tanya Edwards reflects on the inspiration and beginning of Alter's campaign to provide free menstrual supplies to homeless women and girls. The article is very short and light when dealing with this serious issue. Edwards links to multiple different sites, and sites the original Chicago Tribune article on the story. At the end of the article, Edwards links to Alter's GoFundMe page for readers to donate.

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