Bedlam Farm Blog Journal by Jon Katz

From today’s response, support for women’s hygiene should be a regular feature of our Cambridge Food Support program, which served 629 households in May alone.

We need more Tampax. There was a mix-up this morning, and the pads got posted, but not the Tampax. I’m making up for that.  As almost every woman can testify, the Tampax items are very, very important.

Pantry Director Sarah wanted me to make sure to thank you for helping her get these very important items to the women who need them.

I’m calling it Woman’s Support Day, and I’m going to post it regularly. The pantry has a women’s shelf for pads and Tampax. They usually end up with little left. Now, the shelves are empty, and Sarah called out for help.

That’s what we do, we help.

Sarah also asked me to thank you for the enthusiastic response to the request for help getting Tampax and Sanitary Pads; the Pantry Women’s shelves are empty, but thanks to the Army of Good, this will soon change.

The two items most in need are:

Tampax Pearl Tampons Multipack, Regular/Supper Absorbency, with Leakguard Braid, Unscented, 34 Count, $7.97.

Thick Maxi Pads for Periods, Super Absorbency, Unscented, 48 Count, 1 Pack, $5.15

Sarah says these are among the most challenging items to get and stock. She is very grateful for the support this is getting; she gets receipts from Amazon as soon as an item is purchased.

She said that of the two, Tampax is the most difficult to find and get and the most in-demand, but all women’s hygiene items are hard for them to get on their shelves.

Thanks to you, I think the shelves will soon be full, and I’ll keep on doing this. This is an important way for us to help.

I want to say thanks also. I would appreciate you being appreciated. Today, the Regional Food Bank released stats for the area. “We served 629 households,” she said. The average number is closer to 550.

There is a great need for food support in America now. We will do our best to help; so far, that is a lot of support. Thank you.

As some of you know, Maria is selling a new potholder today, a sketch honoring her new free-form sewing machine. The potholder (above) is called The Flying Tampon.

You can read about it on her blog.

The purchase price is going to the  Cambridge Food Pantry.

The cost of the potholder will be donated to the Cambridge Food Pantry, which has run out of Sanitary Pads and Tampax, two desperately needed items that are very difficult for them to obtain.

Maria is selling it on her Etsy Page for $22.27, plus $5 shipping, which she will donate to the Food Pantry’s Women’s Aid Day, which we launched this morning and will continue to mention here.

The pantry desperately needs sanitary pads and tampons for its women’s shelves—the Tampax Tampons are hard to get. The women’s shelf is empty; we mean to fill it.

In addition to buying the potholder, please consider purchasing one or both items listed below. They are on an Amazon Pantry Wish List, and any items purchased will go directly to the food and the Pantry—no middlemen or women.

The potholder is up for sale today on Maria’s Etsy Page. Here are links to the two things the pantry most needs; you can see them or buy them here.

Tampax Pearl Tampons Multipack Regular/Super Absorbency, With Leakguard Braid, Unscented, 34 Count. $5.43.

Ultra Thin Pads with Flexi-Wings for Periods, Extra Heavy Overnight Absorbency, Unscented, Size 5, 24 Count, 1 Pack., $5.06.

The Empty Women’s Shelf at the Cambridge Food Pantry

Yesterday, we focused on diapers and toothpaste for children. Today, it’s women.

(Above, the empty Women’s Shelf)

Today, Sarah texted me that the shelf reserved for these items was empty, which I saw when I was there. Sarah says the Regional Food Bank typically supplies Tampax and sanitary products; the ads have all been taken by the people coming for food support.

Like the other items, these two are inexpensive, so seeing that shelf full as soon as possible would be wonderful. I appreciate any help you can give us, as would the women who depend on the pantry for these items. That’s something that is very much needed.

A small amount of money could go a long way to make someone comfortable—another small act of great kindness.

Here are the two items on the Pantry Wish List; Sarah put them up Tuesday afternoon:

Ultra Thin Pads with Flexi-Wings for Periods, Extra Heavy Overnight Absorbency, Unscented, Size 5, 24 Count, 1 Pack., $5.06.

Tampax Pearl Tampons Multipack Regular/Super Absorbency, With Leakguard Braid, Unscented, 34 Count. $5.43.

Our strategy of picking a few urgently needed and inexpensive items is working. We are helping people and children in the most basic way.

The Food Pantry Wish List is updated daily and reflects the items and needs that have either been used or that the Cambridge Food Pantry hopes to be able to get from its usual sources or afford to buy but can’t. It is updated constantly. If you see something on the list, it is needed and not available.

Once some items sought are received, Sarah takes them off the list.

The most popular items on the list are always needed.

Sarah is also looking for a popular item in demand: extra chunky peanut butter. You can take a look here and donate  a pack of 12:

Jif Extra Punchy Peanut Butter, 16 Oz, Pack of 12, $34.80.

Last week, the pantry was in a dire situation with many shelves empty.

The holiday rush and the heat had depleted their supplies, leading to a plea for help. The Army of Good heard the plea and responded—boy, did they.

Amazon boxes started pouring in on Friday and into the weekend and are still pouring in.

I visited the pantry today to take some photos to show you the impact of your contributions. The shelves are filling up, but this is not all of them.

Your support has made a significant difference, and we’re overwhelmed by your generosity. The need is ongoing, and your support is critical. Thank you.

Seeing the abundance of supplies, I was deeply moved, proud, and uplifted by your generosity. This week, there will be no empty shelves, especially when some chunky peanut butter arrives.

The volunteers are working to room for your donations, a problem they are thrilled to have. We love having this problem at the pantry, one that has never been experienced. We all know it will be gone in a week or so, but it will make many families very happy and, yes, hopeful.

It means a great deal to them that people from all over the country know about them, care about them, and are helping them. “I never knew there were people like that,” one of the mothers told me in an e-mail. We are making a difference.

(Note: Sarah doesn’t ever rest on her laurels. This morning, we launched a particular drive for three children’s items – diapers, wipes, toothpaste.  None on the shelf after last week. Take a look,  and help if you can. And thank you for Blessing The Cambridge Food Pantry.

They asked for juices for the children to drink in the heat.

They asked for soup

They asked for different kinds of Ramen.

They asked for chunky peanut butter and grape and cranberry juice.

They asked for rice and pasta, and it’s still coming.