Pad Party

Long-time HomeFirst donor, Amy Pizarro, hosted her 10th Pad Party in partnership with HomeFirst, on September 24th. The event is a party where invitees are asked to bring pads, tampons, underwear, and other feminine products for donation. These items are gifted to HomeFirst, and ultimately, shared with the homeless women and individuals who participate in HomeFirst’s various housing programs. 

 

The first ever Pad Party, which was held in 2015, was a huge success, with 10,000 items being donated. Since then, the event has grown steadily, and even expanded during the pandemic, when the in-person event temporarily transitioned to a drop-off parade.  

 

This year, at the event which was again held in person, 55,972 items were donated, bringing the Pad Party’s running total to 646,965 products. About the party’s growth, Pizarro shared, “So many women – and men, too! – have stepped up to support and grow the Pad Party network. Friends, coworkers, community groups, businesses, and even folks I’ve never met! It is so inspiring to see people step up and give so generously, making it possible for HomeFirst to provide even more support to its program participants.” 

 
The impact of the Pad Parties is significant, as access to feminine products provides women experiencing homelessness with health, dignity, and peace of mind. Pizarro and her friends who donate generously, have at the Pad Parties in recent years, provided HomeFirst with a year's worth of product, and many times, so much that HomeFirst has been able to share with other organizations as well. 

 

This year, Pizarro was awarded a Board of Supervisors Commendation, as recognition for the support that she has shown the unhoused community. This award was presented to Pizarro at the Pad Party by Cindy Chaves, District Two Supervisor. 

HomeFirst is a leading provider of housing services. We offer prevention, outreach, shelters, and interim and permanent housing programs to individuals who are housing insecure or unhoused, and residing in either Santa Clara or Sonoma County. For more information about HomeFirst, the Pad Parties, and their history and impact, please reach out to HomeFirst’s Chief Marketing and Communication Officer, Lori Smith (lsmith@homefirstscc.org).