'Pad Party' menstrual product drive for women in need begins 13th year

SIOUX FALLS — The annual drive to collect menstrual products for women in need kicked off its 13th year this week, ending with MLK Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 16.

The group behind the effort, known as The Pad Party, accept maxi pads, liners, tampons, and incontinence products which are donated to The Banquet and Promising Futures Fund. The products are then redistributed to local shelters, organizations supporting women and families, and Title I schools in Sioux Falls.

This year, the group is also asking for cash donations to deal with space limitations and maintain the supply over the course of the year.

“This event is our effort to help end period poverty in Sioux Falls,” Katrina Lehr-McKinney, one of The Pad Party founders, said in a release. “Menstrual products shouldn’t be seen as a luxury for anyone, but unfortunately can be cost-prohibitive when you are prioritizing whether or not to spend your money on food, or pads and tampons.”

Lehr-McKinney said Procter and Gamble raised the prices of Always and Tampax products in September. Inflation puts added stress on women in need, she said.

Also new this year, The Pad Party will host a bingo fundraiser during the MLK Day drop-off event at the Convolo event space, 201 N. Weber Ave. The event runs from 4 to 7 p.m. on Jan. 16.

Collection boxes are also available through Jan. 16 at these locations:

• Fit My Feet, 3534 S. Western Ave.
• Elegant Mommy, 207 W. 37th St.
• Fresh Produce, 400 N. Main Ave.

Financial contributions can be made through Venmo to @thebanquetsf, with The Pad Party in the memo.
Checks can be made out to and mailed to either:

• The Banquet, 900 E. Eighth St., Sioux Falls, SD 57103.
• Promising Futures Fund, via The Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, 200 N. Cherapa Place, Sioux Falls, SD, 57104.

List "The Pad Party" in the memo.
The drive has collected more than 360,000 pads, tampons, and incontinence products and thousands of dollars since its inception.

In addition to Lehr-McKinney, The Pad Party founders are Brienne Maner, Heather Krause, Lesli Olson and Carmen Toft.

“We’ve set a goal to deliver at least 25,000 products and $10,000 in donations to break our record this year,” Maner said.

More information about this event can be found by liking The Pad Party on Facebook .

More information about the national MLK Day of Service can be found here .