Pocket Life
By Corky Mau
June 2022
‘Her Drive’
Teens create campaign to fight period poverty
Like many teens, Ella Fodor, Jenna Yates and Viva Corliss spent recent weeks studying for finals and planning college visits. But the three young Pocket women also performed a community service. They held their second annual collection drive to “end period poverty.”
“Period poverty” refers to inadequate access to feminine hygiene products and menstrual education. Medical professionals say it’s a public health crisis rarely discussed. A national campaign called “Her Drive” began in 2020 to collect bras, menstrual care and hygiene products for people in need.
“During the pandemic, we were looking for something fun to do, something that would make a difference in our community,” Fodor says.
When she saw a viral TikTok video on the “Her Drive” campaign, she rallied Yates and Corliss, and Sacramento collection drive was underway.
The local teens held their first collection in 2021. They made posters and flyers for their classrooms at Christian Brothers and Mira Loma high schools. Pink collection boxes were set up at Bel Air, Nugget, Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op, Starbucks, 5 Sips Coffee and Barrio café.
They spread the word on NextDoor. Corliss adds, “We’ve been overwhelmed by the positive response from the community. Donors have been very generous, which encourages us to do this again next year.”
When schools resumed in-person schedules, more students and school staff joined. In two years, the teens collected thousands of bras and feminine hygiene products. Everything goes to the St. John’s Shelter for Real Change and WEAVE programs.
LIBRARY NEWS
Are your bookshelves overflowing? The Friends of the Robbie Waters Library will take those extra books. Bring in one bag or box per person each day. Drop off donations to a volunteer or library staffer. Donations should be in “gently used” condition. Fiction, nonfiction, children’s, cooking, travel are all accepted, along with music CDs and movie DVDs. No textbooks or magazines, please.
The popular Children’s Storytime program continues in person on Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. The public can reserve the library Community Room for meetings. Reservations can be made online or with library staff. Library cardholders can borrow free vehicle day-use passes to state parks and entry passes to local cultural destinations.
FEED EVERY PET
We know seniors and their pets should stay together, but both need nourishment. Meals on Wheels is making sure the animals get fed, too. The organization started AniMeals 10 years ago and provides food for more than 500 pets monthly. The nonprofit received an $8,000 Trailblazer Grant from Meals on Wheels America and PetSmart Charities to continue the program.
“We want to ensure our participants can age in place with their furry friends. Our community partners help us achieve this goal,” says Victoria Cristobal, home delivered meals coordinator.
Whisker Warriors, a local nonprofit, delivers pet food donated by retail stores. Girl Scout troops hold pet food drives and donate goods. Volunteers place donations into smaller bags, easier for seniors to manage.
FAMILY FESTIVAL
Dine al fresco at Garcia Bend Park on Friday, June 17, at the monthly Trucks and Such event. Festivities start at 5 p.m. Bring your own picnic fare or purchase dinner from a SactoMoFo food truck. A family-friendly movie will be shown at dusk.
PARK PAINTING
City Council representative Rick Jennings and Parks Commissioner Devin Lavelle sponsor monthly park cleanups. This month’s activity takes place at Portuguese Park on Saturday, June 11, at 9 a.m. Painting the gazebo is top priority. Volunteers should register in advance at bit.ly/d7poaks22 or email Lavelle at devinlavelle@gmail.com.
Corky Mau can be reached at corky.sue50@gmail.com. Submissions are due six weeks prior to the publication month. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @insidesacramento.
