Press Release: Dignity Matters

Open Table Partners With Dignity Matters to Offer Menstrual Care Products to Guests

Concord and Maynard, MA (May 19, 2021) – Open Table, the Concord and Maynard charity dedicated to fighting hunger and building healthy communities, announced today that it has partnered with Framingham-based Dignity Matters to offer free menstrual care products to guests in both its online and drive-up pantry programs. Clients will be able receive up to a two-month’s supply of products along with their other grocery items.

Many women and girls are challenged by the high cost of, and frequent need for, menstrual products. Neither SNAP nor WIC programs cover their costs, and many shelters, food pantries and public schools struggle to afford period protection for their clients.

The Dignity Matters partnership was coordinated by Scarlett Cheung, a Commonwealth Service Corps member who has been serving with Open Table for the past year. Dignity Matters is a non-profit that collects, purchases and supplies menstrual care products, bras and underwear to women and girls who are homeless or disadvantaged to help them stay healthy, regain self-confidence, and live with basic dignity. They currently support 9,000 women in Massachusetts every month.

“There are women in almost every community in the nation, who struggle to afford these necessities,” said Jeanine Calabria, executive director, Open Table, Inc. “The fact that Open Table is able to offer feminine hygiene products to its pantry guests goes a long way to helping meet this pervasive community need.”

“Period poverty is a ‘deal breaker’ for women in need,” said Kate Sanetra-Butler, executive director of Dignity Matters.  “You can’t work or attend school, take care of your family, or live a full and healthy life without reliable access to menstrual care. Dignity Matters is thrilled to partner with Open Table to make sure their clients have these products when they need them.”

Open Table is currently looking for a volunteer to help facilitate the pickup and delivery of these products from the Dignity Matters Framingham headquarters to Open Table in Maynard every other month. If interested, contact us at volunteer@opentable.org or register to volunteer HERE.