Students for Reproductive Rights to host tampon drive throughout April

During the month of April, students will have the opportunity to give back to women in the community.

Students for Reproductive Rights (SFRR) will be setting out boxes across campus for a tampon drive between April 3 through 28. The proceeds will be given to Vermillion Domestic Violence Safe Options Services and the Vermillion Food Pantry.

The boxes will be placed in the Sanford School of Medicine, sorority houses, the Wellness Center, North Complex, Hy-Vee and possibly The Bean. SFRR will also be tabling in the Muenster University Center all month, where people can opt to donate.

SFRR vice president Krista Honomichl, a first-year, said the drive is important to help women in the community.

“Every woman and girl in some point of their life is going to need one,” she said. “The extra expenses of sanitary products can affect a woman’s health, their education and income.”

Honomichl said the last drive was “very successful” despite some logistical issues like being unable to collect tampons in the MUC.

“I hope that with this drive, that can kind of start to lessen the stigma with them out in the open,” she said. “They’re ‘scary,’ I guess. Society finds them scary.”

Because the boxes are in public spaces, Honomichl said she hopes to involve the community as well.

“It’s very beneficial since the proceeds from this drive will be going to benefit women and girls in our community,” she said. “It shows those women and girls who are struggling that they have a community behind them willing to support.”

Honomichl said the drive sends a message to the community.

“The ability to move freely in public spaces every day should be a right, not a luxury,” Honomichl said. “We’re giving women in our community back a little bit of their dignity.”