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Get Involved with Days for Girls!
IMPORTANT UPDATE
Hi all you Days for Girls volunteers! We have some important info to impart.
The Missoula DFG Club has gained so many new volunteers that they need a larger space to meet! So, beginning Monday, June 6th, all DFG meetings will now take place at Make it Sew on the first Monday of every month from 2 to 5pm.
Read on to learn more about this amazing non-profit!
Days for Girls
Days for Girls International is a non-profit organization that seeks to end Period Poverty across the globe. For many young people who menstruate, the difference between getting an education and dropping out is a reusable, menstrual hygiene kit. Days for Girls has clubs of volunteers all across the world, who gather to make reusable menstrual kits – pads, liners, a waterproof shield, etc. – for women, girls, trans, and nonbinary folks in need.
Missoula’s club is headed by Dr. Jen Elison and Keesha Cain!
Don’t scrap your fabric scraps!
Co-organizers of the Missoula DFG club, Jen and Keesha are always in need of double brushed cotton flannel and quilting cotton in colorful, cheerful, stain-hiding patterns (see the chart below for fabric color/pattern criteria) to make high-quality, reusable feminine hygiene kits. Cotton pieces must be at least 5 X 5 inches, flannel must be at least 9 X 9 inches. (Bed sheets are not durable or strong enough and can’t be used.)
Additionally, small hotel-sized bars of soap are included in each complete kit. So, if you’re cleaning out your bathroom and you’re wondering what to do with your stockpile of small bar soaps, keep Days for Girls in mind!
Fabric Criteria
Fabric color/pattern criteria
Because these kits are distributed globally, certain fabric patterns need to be avoided. Here is a list of fabrics that CANNOT be used in kits:
- Prints with face/eyes such as animals, fish, people, etc.
- Insects or snakes (butterflies are OK)
- Camouflage/guns/hunting
- Solid saffron/yellow fabric. (This color is sacred in many cultures.)
- Cartoon/TV/pop culture/National flags/words/glam fabrics
Get Involved
Volunteers are always welcome. Jen and Keesha host a meeting on the first Monday of every month at Make it Sew in Missoula, and they hope that you’ll come on by! To learn more about which fabrics you can and can’t use – and to learn more about Days for Girls in general – watch Maisie’s interview with Jen Elison, and contact Jen & Keesha at missoulamt@daysforgirls.org.
Thank you, thank you in advance for your generosity and kindness!!
Do you have an address I can have to send cotton to. I am in Florida. Thank you.
Thanks Laura! That’s so thoughtful.
The Confident Stitch
139 W Front Street
Missoula MT, 59802
I am interested in volunteering my time in order to help out In your efforts. I have a sewing machine and could be a part of a sewing group if needed.
I would like to be a volunteer to help with your sewing projects. Please let me know when I can do to help out and who I should contact. Thank you
Thanks for your interest Sherrie! Days for Girls will now be meeting at Make it Sew – 715 Kensington Avenue # 17 – in Missoula. Their next meeting is June 6th, 2022 from 2-5 pm.
If you have more questions, I encourage you to email Dr. Elison, club leader at missoulamt@daysforgirls.org
We also make an effort to facilitate service projects once or twice a year. If you subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on social media, we always post information about our upcoming service projects on those platforms.
Thank you!