United Way of South Texas and International Paper Company (IP) have partnered to provide more than 1,000 feminine hygiene kits to women in Hidalgo and Starr Counties. These women struggle to secure basic needs for they and their daughters. The essential products are unfortunately not easily available to families living in poverty. The families who have benefited from the program the last three years, were immensely grateful for the generosity of the IP team and United Way.
Dozens of International Paper volunteers gathered on a Saturday, May 13th to assemble the kits at United Way of South Texas. The hygiene kits included feminine products and positive notes of encouragement. United Way will distribute the kits to local non-profit partners including: Women Together, Su Casa De Esperanza, Starr County Victims of Domestic Violence Program, Children’s Advocacy Center, CASA of Hidalgo Co. and others.
“Feminine hygiene poverty is the lack of access to hygiene education, feminine products, handwashing facilities or waste management. It affects more than 40 million women and girls worldwide. This is just one way International Paper is dedicated to addressing critical needs in Hidalgo and Starr Counties,” said Marina Villanueva, Human Resources for IP.
The United Way Board of Directors extends their deepest appreciation and gratitude to International Paper employees for their time, generosity and commitment to support critical needs in our area.
About United Way:
United Way of South Texas invests in programs that address critical services in the areas of Health, Education, Financial Stability, and Safety Net. The organization supports over 21 non-profit agencies in Hidalgo and Starr Counties that serve a 225,000 local residents annually. Services provided by United Way of South Texas through Partner Agencies include emergency shelter, family violence counseling, character building programs, child victim advocacy, and infant stimulation classes. To learn more, visit www.unitedwayofsotx.org. If you would like to support United Way programs with a monetary donation, you may mail a tax deductible check to United Way of South Texas at P.O. Box 187, McAllen, TX 78505-0187 or pledge online at https://unitedwayofsotx.org/donate-now/. For volunteer opportunities, visit volunteersotx.org.