Dignity Grows provides women, girls, and individuals assigned female at birth with personal and menstrual hygiene products, allowing them to continue their lives at work and school without interruptions due to a lack of resources. Volunteers meet monthly to pack bags and help distribute them to local partners.
Founded by the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford’s Women’s Philanthropy, Dignity Grows embodies the Jewish values of Tzedakah (righteousness) and Tikkun Olam (repairing the world).
Dignity Grows Tote Bags
Each month, Federation distributes reusable, branded, zipper-top Dignity Grows Totes filled with a month’s supply of sanitary pads, panty liners, shampoo, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, and hand wipes.
The Need
- Over 20% of females in the U.S. suffer from “period poverty,” an inability to purchase basic feminine hygiene necessities. This number is even higher in urban areas.
- Period poverty creates shame amongst women, causing them to stay home and miss out on education, employment, and social and religious connections. It also compounds the cycle of poverty as girls miss school and women forgo wages. Government benefits such as SNAP and WIC do not cover these items, which rarely are donated to food pantries for distribution
How You Can Help
- Working with distribution partners throughout Fairfield County, Dignity Grows organizes, assembles, and distributes free Dignity Totes with a month’s supply of personal and menstrual hygiene products.
- Each bag costs $10 and is funded by the United Jewish Federation of Greater Stamford, New Canaan, and Darien, and private donations. There are a number of ways volunteers can get involved:
- Hosting a packing party to prepare kits with friends, family, or as a part of an event
- Donating to cover the cost of the monthly bags
- Volunteering to pack at a Federation packing party
