Jamie Longo continued her work donating menstrual hygiene products to community members in need with two events over the weekend.
Longo partnered with LIC Support, Muslims Giving Back, and Project Happy Feet to distribute more than 300 bags with pads and tampons, as well as other food and product donations, for unhoused New Yorkers in Long Island City on Saturday, Aug. 15.
It was Longo’s second in-person event — the first one was with her neighborhood’s food pantry, Hungry Monk, in June. Longo has supplied eight pantries in Queens and Bushwick, and has restocked them several times in the last two months.
“Because 2020 has hit everyone hard, I think it’s important I continue to do this now,” Longo said. “I couldn’t have started in a better time. I’m just trying to help out the people that I can.”
Longo, a Ridgewood resident, was joined by her mother and community activist Connie Altamirano and family friend Brendalesse Medina, who helped put together their bags with about 10 pieces of menstrual hygiene products.
In the bags, they included a letter that read, in part, “We just want to make life a little easier and we hope this care package will put a smile on your face. Just know someone is looking out for you, that we believe in you, and we hope from here on out that your lives change for the better.”
Aafia Chaudhry, a member of LIC Support mutual aid group, said they’ve had several events in which they distribute products and other essentials for men’s shelters in the past, and Saturday marked the first for the women and children shelters.
Longo also volunteered on Sunday with the COVID Care Neighbor Network in Woodside. There, they donated more than 200 care packages for their food pantry.
“Now those in need will have access to food, diapers, formula, and menstruation products — all are essential,” the CCNN stated.
Longo is also partnering with Project Smile NYC to uplift impoverished communities by providing essential items and products to improve health and hygiene of those in need.
Longo will soon embark on her sophomore year at Brooklyn Technical High School, and although she has a feeling the school year will take some adjustment this year, she wants to keep working to address period poverty in Queens.
