A group of young women hope a white 1976 station wagon will draw attention to an overlooked need.
In stuff-the-bus fashion, EVE's Action -- a subsidiary of Women's Network of the Red River Valley -- has created the Maxi Taxi, which will collect feminine hygiene products Aug. 11-13.
The goods will be donated to shelters including Churches United for the Homeless and the YWCA.
"There are so many aspects of our daily lives that we don't think about," said Ruth Meberg, co-chair of the Women's Network. "If you were homeless and had no money, what would you do if you really needed a tampon?"
Feminine hygiene products are a priority need for the YWCA of Fargo-Moorhead, said Executive Director Judy Green. Every woman who enters the emergency shelter receives a hygiene kit.
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The No. 1 reason women come to the YWCA for shelter is domestic violence, she said.
"Often times they are getting out of a situation that is very much a crisis where they don't have time to think about those things," Green said.
The group also hopes to collect other hygiene items, such as shampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs and razors.
The Maxi Taxi makes its first stop Aug. 11 at Churches United in Moorhead.
Two people will sleep in the station wagon while it's parked downtown Aug. 12, to further highlight the issue of homelessness.
On Aug. 13, the vehicle will be at Fargo's Holiday Inn on 13th Avenue South, as well as stopping at contributing businesses.
Its final appearance will be at 7 p.m. Aug. 13 at the Fargo Theatre. Anyone who donates to the Maxi Taxi will receive a free small bag of popcorn.
Drop boxes will be set up as well, including sites at Curves for Women and Lady Wellness.
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Monetary donations can be mailed to the Women's Network of the Red River Valley, 116 12th St. S., Moorhead, MN 56560.
EVE's Action, which has eight members, already received a donation of600 pads from Organic Essentials, Inc. The group hopes to collect 5,000 individual items, Meberg said.
"It just proves what a small group of dedicated people can do," said Lindsey Bartvold, a senior at North Dakota State University. "It's a fun way to get some donations and get out the word.
"People don't think about homeless people in Fargo-Moorhead," she said.
In 2003, 333 women and children were refused admittance to Churches United for the Homeless because of overcrowding, according to a press release by the group. In May 2004, 22 women were turned away, it said.
Green said the YWCA has been near or at its capacity of 65 women since moving to its new location in April.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Sherri Richards at (701) 241-5525
