Rock Island High School’s Rocky Riveters have started an “I Support the Girls” donation drive for the Rocky Resource Room at Rock Island High School and Thurgood Marshall Learning Center.
They are looking for donated new, sealed boxes of feminine hygiene products and new or gently used bras of all sizes.
The Rocky Resource Room is an outreach for Rocky students and their families to help support those in need. It provides Rocky families with resources to improve the quality of life. Located in Rock Island High School, the Rocky Resource Room offers students a variety of clothing items, hygiene products, school supplies and more. By providing these items for students, they can focus more on their academics as well as their peer relationships rather than worrying about how to obtain their basic needs.
EL Teacher and Rocky Resource Room Coordinator Jessica Matherly, says this project started after one volunteer was trying to assist a student in finding a bra and had a hard time finding one in her size because of the limited selection the resource room has.
“Undergarments are always one of the most asked for item. Because of this as soon as they come in they go out. Demand often outweighs supply. Girl's bodies are constantly changing and because of this, they can change sizes quickly and out of nowhere leaving many girls with ill-fitting or non-existent bras. Being a teen is hard enough without this extra pressure,” says Matherly.
Feminine hygiene products are items also always in need but are costly.
“Anyone that has bought feminine hygiene products knows they are expensive, non-reusable, and needed every month. If our girls did not have access to these valuable supplies they would miss out on educational opportunities because they cannot afford a necessary item. Period Poverty is a real thing. If you are struggling to afford food and clothing you will most certainly struggle to afford these. Also, those that are on public assistance cannot purchase these products with the Link Card. Our kids are one of the most valuable resources we have and supporting them produces benefits that touch every aspect of our community,” said Matherly.
The Rocky Riveters will be accepting donations now until Dec. 20th. Donations can be dropped off at the high school.