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Homeless Women Need Tampons, Too: How You Can Help Them 'Never Go Without'

By Howard Ludwig | March 21, 2016 6:36am | Updated on March 22, 2016 10:26am
 Jesseca Rhymes of Beverly is collecting tampons, pads and incontinence supplies for homeless women. Her campaign called
Jesseca Rhymes of Beverly is collecting tampons, pads and incontinence supplies for homeless women. Her campaign called "Never Go Without" has partnered with Belle Up, a women's clothing and maternity store, in Beverly.
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DNAinfo/Howard A. Ludwig

BEVERLY — For her 25th birthday, Jesseca Rhymes of Beverly would like gifts of tampons, sanitary napkins and incontinence supplies.

This will be the second year that Rhymes has asked for these types of presents — but not for herself.

Rather, Rhymes has launched a campaign called "Never Go Without," which collects the items for homeless women. And this year, she's partnered with Belle Up, a women's clothing and maternity store in Beverly.

"I have a passion about periods," said Rhymes, who was born March 27.

Her birthday party will be April 2, and Rhymes expects an outpouring of donations from her friends and family. But she's also been steadily collecting items at the boutique at 1915 W. 103rd St.

Belle Up has agreed to place a donation box near the door of its flagship store all month. Owner Jamenda McCoy is giving customers in Beverly 15 percent off of any regular-price item with a donation of a tampons or pads, and 20 percent off a regular-price item with a donation of incontinence supplies.

"For me, it's a women's issue, which is what Belle Up is all about," McCoy said last week.

Never Go Without is also collecting supplies at Djs Bike Doctor at 1344 E. 55th St. in Hyde Park. The bike shop is owned by Rhyme's uncle who was "volentold" to participate in the effort, his niece said.

Rhymes hosted a similar drive last year, spreading the word among friends with posts on her Facebook page. This year, she has partnered with her cousin, Karen Spears, to develop a website, logo and social media campaign.

Spears, a graduate of Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School in Mount Greenwood, studies branding at the University of Missouri. With her help as well as partnering with area retailers, Rhymes hopes to double cash donations as well as the volume of products collected.

In 2015, Rhymes, a graduate of Queen of Peace High School in suburban Burbank, amassed 3,185 pads and incontinence products, 2,463 tampons and 1,596 panty liners. She also was given roughly $200 in cash donations.

Rhymes said was inspired to start Never Go Without after reading an article posted Jan. 14, 2015 on the Huffington Post. The story details how homeless women often struggle while menstruating because while food and clothing are commonly donated to shelters, tampons and pads are overlooked.

"Homeless women, they are like any other women," Rhymes said.

She began researching the topic and soon settled on directing all donations to Deborah’s Place at 2822 W. Jackson Blvd. in East Garfield Park. The organization is the oldest and largest provider of housing for women experiencing homelessness in Chicago.

"The volunteer coordinator there was great. She said, 'Yes, we always need these items,'" said Rhymes, adding that incontinence supplies are in much higher demand than the other items she's collecting.

Because of this, Rhymes said she plans to use all cash donations to buy incontinence supplies for the charity. This effort will be boosted by Rhymes and her mother who are also avid coupon collectors.

"People that know us are more apt to give us cash donations, because they know that about us," Rhymes said.

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