The Northeastern Iowa Synod was awarded a grant of $7,500 from the ELCA’s COVID-19 Fund to help families experiencing unemployment, poverty or other hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds were distributed to the 17 congregations that host “Little Free Pantries” to help keep the pantries supplied.
It was suggested that the grant funds be used to purchase personal hygiene products to be placed in the pantries, since those types of items are more expensive and less often donated than canned goods. For example, a recent study suggests that nearly one in five American girls have either left school early or missed school entirely because they did not have access to period products.
