On May 9, 2025 at Lincoln South Rotary Club we heard about the Tower of Tampons from Tosha Benes along with her guest Alison Luth.
Tasha and Alison have been friends and colleagues for years. After seeing success with their business they wanted to find ways to pay back to the community. They started by focusing on children - finding ways to make their home happier and healthier. They wanted to provide an environment where children and adults could connect - or stay connected.
They did a number of drives for food, cleaning products and clothing. Many of their clients would donate to their drives. One person asked them if they would take period products and their answer was yes - if you donate them we will see that they get delivered. They soon found that was a bigger need than anyone could imagine. They heard so much praise for the drive and such grateful thank yous so they shifted and focus only on period products now.
They do their work totally as volunteers. They gather the donated items and keep them in their homes. As they have time and as requests come in they get them delivered. They have been fortunate to have others volunteer to help them make deliveries ensuring those in need get what they need.
Why is there such a need? Period products are so quickly consumed. They are expensive. And there are a variety of needs from teens to post-partum. Some people and organizations found that, especially during COVID they needed to shift their dollars to required / mandated items such as face masks and hand sanitizer. Their hygiene budgets were consumed by these items.
Where are they delivered? Anywhere there is a need. They often deliver to schools which helps the nurses that often find that they use their personal funds to purchase needed products. Many shelters and other special housing facilities have asked for supplies. They deliver to organizations that support the homeless. They have had cases of single dads that did not know how to help their daughters.They recently delivered to a mother who was staying in a hotel with a need for post-partum products. They shared that they have also been placing products in The Little Free Pantries which are usually picked up with a day.
They initially delivered only within Lincoln then expanded to Lancaster and other nearby communities. They now ship out to other cities such as Grand Island and Omaha.
Nearly every day someone connects with them about hem. They may be social workers asking for donations or companies wanting to do a product drive. They shared the story of a School youth group that was driven by the need and the ability for them to help others.
They have had volunteers come from all age groups to help deliver including high school students who, not only want to help, but receive volunteer hours for the time they spend.
These experiences will have a life-long impact on the students doing the drive and delivering and those receiving the products.