About 15 years ago while visiting Atlanta Georgia, I wanted to immerse my children into a sense of gratitude by invoking empathy for those who were less fortunate than they were. My children were 11, 8 and 5 years old during this time. We were staying at the Omni Hotel near the CNN center and I decided that we would take a nice morning walk to the MLK Center.

Our visit happened during the month of August. It rained that morning and was hot and humid by the time we headed out. We started our journey, crossing from the obviously more affluent areas of town to the section where people were hanging out and sleeping on the streets along the way. I happened to be on my menstrual cycle that day and I was hot, sweaty and needed a shower to freshen up. I thought to myself, I can’t wait to get back to the hotel to shower and freshen up. Just as the thought of getting back to my hotel to refresh crossed my mind I looked over my shoulder and noticed a young homeless woman under a bridge. I couldn’t help but think how does she freshen up? How does she feel renewed during her time of the month? It shook me to my core. I had so many questions and sincere concerns -what does a homeless woman do to provide for her most basic needs during her menstrual cycle. I decided that I needed to do something about it. I felt compelled by God to be my sister’s keeper; to find a way to provide for a need that was considered a taboo to openly discuss in today’s society.

We arrived back home in Arkansas and the thoughts became overwhelming. Being an engineer, I began to analyze the problem and the many solutions. How can I do this? How can I, being only one person make an impact? Where would I get the supplies? Where would I store them? How will they be distributed? This lead to over analyzing. I shunted the thoughts with the facts that my children were young and I should be focused on caring for my family. We eventually moved to Minnesota and the thoughts re-materialized with how does a homeless woman survive the brutal winters of Minnesota and where does she get her basic menstrual needs met in the cold. The thoughts were haunting me and I really couldn’t shake them. Once again, I determined that this problem was too big for me and that I couldn’t make a difference – instead I should continue caring for my family and working on my career. The thoughts were always with me even when I didn’t think I could help.

We moved to Georgia in 2015. Our last child was a graduating high school senior. My job in Minnesota had previously told me that I would be allowed to work from home but had rescinded that offer. Thru my normal channels and networks I had always been able to find a new job, this time I was unable to find employment and turned to God for further direction. His answer was Loud and Clear, “You now have time to answer my call to serve those homeless women”. I came to the realization that I alone can’t do it, but through the power of God it can be done. Not for my glory, but for His glory it will be done. One Touch Charities is my answer to His call. I often feel inadequate – much like I imagine the disciples must have felt when Jesus told them to prepare dinner for the crowd when they only had 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread. What I am learning and believing is that just like God provided more than enough food for over 5,000 men and an untold number of women and children, he will take my little and provide for the millions of women around the world in need of basic feminine necessities. It has already begun with the initial collection of 7854 wipes, 2180 pads, 346 Tampons, 329 panty liners, 44 panties and 240 band aids and other hygiene products over a 2 day birthday celebration and the story continues. Will you help us change lives One Touch at a time?