SRU’s Student Nonprofit Alliance supports women through Project Pink

Feb. 16, 2021

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. — During dire financial situations, many people are often faced with the choice of purchasing food or paying a bill. That situation is compounded for women who can be forced to make the hard decision about whether to purchase feminine hygiene products. To ensure that such sacrifices need not be made, Slippery Rock University's Student Nonprofit Alliance is hosting Project Pink to collect care package items for local women, now through March 5.

Care packages will be distributed to local nonprofits including the YWCA of Butler and the Lighthouse Foundation, a Christian outreach organization.

Project Pink is part of SNA's spring semester Volunteer Crawl, a 24-hour service day where participants travel across Butler County to participate in multiple service projects.

Due to COVID-19, the SNA, a pre-professional association for students considering a career in the nonprofit sector, has transformed the service day into three service projects that will take place during the course of the semester, beginning with Project Pink.

Project Pink's focus on hygienic and feminine products is due to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP, not including feminine hygiene products, toothpastes, shampoos and deodorants among its list of approved products for purchase.

"With the pandemic continuing, we knew many people were struggling to get the items they need due to strained financial situations," said Barbara Rugh, a senior social work major from Butler and the marketing and public relations officer for SNA. "We knew we had to do something about it."

Those wishing to make donations are asked to supply items including tooth brushes, toothpaste, deodorant, travel size shampoos and lotions, and various sizes of feminine hygiene products. Collected items will be packaged in a nylon drawstring bag imprinted with the words "SRU Believes in YOU."

Donations can be dropped off at designated bins located in the lobby of Spotts World Culture Building or Room 205. Donors also have the option to order items through designated registries via Target and Walmart. Purchased products can then be mailed to SNA, Slippery Rock University, Spotts World Culture Building, 110 Central Loop, Room 200, Slippery Rock, PA 16057.

Monetary donations can be made through the Slippery Rock University Foundation, Inc.

"We're really hoping to show women and girls throughout the Butler County area that they aren't alone, and that they are being thought of; no one should go through times like these alone," said Rugh.

For additional information about Project Pink or the Volunteer Crawl, email srusna.contact@gmail.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: Lesa Bressanelli | 724.738.2091 | lnb1009@sru.edu