Story by Claire Smith, Staff writer
Photo courtesy of Kristen Farley
Feminine hygiene products can be expensive, but one group is trying to make life a little easier for students in middle and high school.
Clutch, a nonprofit organization, has dedicated itself to putting these products in public school bathrooms to serve underprivileged students.
The organization hosted a packing party on Saturday, Feb. 23, in celebration of its first birthday. A packing party is when members of the organization and the community come together to create the clutches that will go into each school.
The 1,000 clutches filled at Saturday’s party will go to the schools the organization currently serves. Each clutch contains four pads or tampons, four panty liners, a flushable wipe and an encouraging quote.
Kristen Farley, senior from Murray, started Clutch in February 2018.
“I was talking to my sister one day about how there were no internship opportunities that I thought were going to make a difference in the community,” Farley said.
Her sister then suggested that she make her own.
“She had heard an article on NPR about how girls were having to use toilet paper instead of using pads or tampons, which is not at all acceptable,” Farley said. “Especially if you are trying to focus on an algebra test.”
She said Clutch will send its packages to Uganda with a program that travels there to build wells.
“They give care packages to the mothers which currently don’t include feminine hygiene products or moist flushable wipes, so we will be providing them on an upcoming trip,” Farley said.
Lauren Couch, Clutch’s vice president from Murray, said her family got together to help the vision come to life.
“We try to host packing parties at least quarterly,” Couch said. “Or if we get a very large donation that may prompt us to host a packing party as well.”
Clutch serves eight schools in and around Murray. These schools are Murray, Calloway County, Graves County, Marshall County and Carlisle County school systems.
“We are expanding into McCracken County this spring,” Couch said. “We also have a wonderful partnership with the Gentry House to provide products to families experiencing homelessness.”
Kelsey Patterson, senior from Russellville, Kentucky, said this was her first time participating in a packing party.
“I found out about the program through the Peace Corps Prep program,” Patterson said. “I do honestly think there should be more programs like this.”
Donations for Clutch can be dropped off at Vine Street Salon, Murray Art Guild, 120 Mason Hall on campus or Murray Convention and Visitors Bureau. Items can include tampons, pads, flushable wipes, panty liners and small zipper bags such as Ipsy bags.