As the government shutdown drags on, becoming the longest in U.S. history, its effects are rippling through communities in unexpected ways. While much of the national attention has focused on food insecurity and housing struggles, a quieter crisis is unfolding — women across the country are finding it increasingly difficult to afford basic feminine hygiene products.
In Rockville, Maryland, nonprofit founder Dana Marlowe has witnessed this need firsthand. Marlowe, who started I Support the Girls more than a decade ago, says the demand for menstrual products has surged dramatically since the shutdown began. “Hunger is making the headlines, but women’s needs are not,” Marlowe said. “Period poverty is the invisible side effect of the shutdown.”
The organization provides free bras, underwear, pads, tampons, and other essential hygiene items to women and girls nationwide. Since federal workers began facing furloughs and missed paychecks, I Support the Girls has seen individual service requests jump by 101 percent and inbox inquiries increase by 83 percent. “Our inboxes are flooded,” Marlowe said. “We’re hearing from women across the DMV region who simply can’t afford pads or tampons while trying to stretch their last paycheck.”
Between September and October 2025 alone, the group donated more than one million menstrual and hygiene products — a 28 percent increase over the previous year. Volunteers have worked long hours to sort, pack, and distribute supplies to food banks, schools, homeless shelters, and domestic violence shelters.
For many of these women, the loss of government assistance programs such as SNAP has left them without the means to meet even their most basic needs. According to the Food Research and Action Center, roughly 63 percent of adults receiving SNAP benefits are women. In the DMV area, more than 60 percent of adults depend on such programs to put food on the table.
“When those benefits stop, people have to make impossible choices,” Marlowe explained. “Do they feed their children or buy period products? These are essential items tied to dignity, and that’s where we step in to help.”
The organization’s staff have read heartbreaking messages from women desperate for assistance. One story that stays with Marlowe came from a furloughed mother of two teenage daughters. “She wrote that they were all on the same menstrual cycle, and she didn’t know how they would afford the next month’s supplies,” Marlowe recalled. “She said, ‘Please, I Support the Girls, can you help us?’ It’s hard not to cry when you read something like that.”
Marlowe emphasized that period poverty isn’t just about physical discomfort — it’s about dignity, health, and emotional wellbeing. “We just want to take one worry off their plate,” she said. “Women are already worrying about rent, food, and work. The least we can do is help them not worry about something so basic and human.”
The group’s work has expanded beyond hygiene products. Since early 2025, I Support the Girls has hosted weekly “Community Uplift” gatherings every Tuesday. The initiative provides a safe space for furloughed workers and struggling families to share meals, use free Wi-Fi, and connect with others facing similar challenges. “It’s a way to keep people’s minds and hands busy, to give them a sense of community,” Marlowe said.
As the shutdown continues with no clear end in sight, I Support the Girls remains committed to bridging the gap for those affected. The nonprofit continues to distribute thousands of hygiene kits weekly and has encouraged donations and volunteer support from across the country.
“Periods don’t stop for shutdowns — and neither do we,” Marlowe said firmly. “We’ve seen firsthand how a simple act of compassion can restore hope and dignity. That’s what keeps us going.”
In a time of political gridlock and economic strain, organizations like I Support the Girls serve as a reminder that even small gestures can make a profound difference. While federal programs struggle to restart, communities continue to rely on grassroots movements and local nonprofits to meet urgent needs.
For women caught in the middle of this crisis, a box of tampons or a package of pads can mean much more than hygiene — it can mean being seen, supported, and remembered at a time when survival itself feels uncertain.
Those wishing to contribute can learn more or donate through I Support the Girls’ official website, ensuring that women in need continue to receive the dignity and care they deserve.
