One Less Worry

Do you really want me to make ALL the important decisions?!!! I walked down to the Flanagan Center (corner of Limerock & Union) to vote, arriving at 9:05 am. I was the only voter there!!! For 15 minutes! No one was walking toward the door when I left. This gives my vote a lot of power!
Felling giddy, I went next door to an equally empty playground and enjoyed swinging for 10 minutes! Wheeeee!
I urge you to enjoy both today!

Early on this lovely sunny & snowy day, we delivered 96 rolls of toilet paper to AIO! Thank you to the person/persons who sent these to OLW. More will be delivered today.
Many thanks to all who provide toilet paper for those who struggle to meet this need. AIO, who does not fund toilet paper, serves all of Knox County. It is going to take significant effort by many compassionate folks to make this happen.
One Less Worry; 108 Beech Street; Rockland, ME 04841

Be a toilet paper angel!
A couple of years ago an elderly man stopped me and asked, "are you the toilet paper lady?" I laughed and confirmed that I was. He hugged me and thanked me. He didn't know what he would do without me. He wouldn't be able to leave his home. "You are an angel," he said.
We all have angels inside of us!

PLEASE FORWARD! If you eat, you will poo. Recently OLW became aware that AIO is no longer offering toilet paper to their clients. AIO has 4 programs: food, children’s weekend food, diapers, & heating assistance. There is no program for personal health items such as toilet paper, tampons, pads, etc. These items cannot be purchased with funds from any of their 4 programs or non-earmarked funds. With the limited funds that remain in OLW’s coffers, we are purchasing toilet paper for AIO clients. It won’t be enough. If you wish to help you can drop off toilet paper to AIO on Mondays or Wednesdays at 1A Gordon Dr, Rockland. From 8:30 am to 6 pm. Alternatively, you could send a check earmarked “toilet paper” (or whatever item you would like to support). Send checks to AIO Food and Energy Assistance, 1A Gordon Dr, Rockland, ME 04841. We urge you to earmark both on the memo line of your check and also place a post-it note with the earmarking on the check. An additional option is to send us a check and we will purchase and deliver the toilet paper. (One Less Worry; 108 Beech St.; Rockland, ME 04841.) Thank you thank you thank you.

By replying to this post, let us know what two items below you consider most important:
* diapers
* food
* fuel oil
* toilet paper
* tampons/pads
* transportation

Recently I spoke to the Organ Society ladies of the First Congregational Church in Wiscasset. It was a spirited meeting! They have decided to continue OLW efforts "to provide menstrual products to women and girls in the Wiscasset area." They will be reliably providing tampons and pads to the local food pantry and the Community Center.
THIS is the goal! Pass it on!

It's a perfect day for a good read! Here's two of our favorites. We'd we delighted to give you a copy of one or both.
"Go With the Flow" is a graphic novel about friendship, menstruation, advocacy, and lots more! It is appropriate for most teens from 6th grade through high school.
"Period Power" covers an astonishing amount of menstrual information including the history of period products, period poverty, period legislation, advocacy and more. OLW has given over 100 copies of Period Power to students!
Reach out if you would like a copy of one or both of these books.
[email protected]

OLW news from the end of 2022: We distributed an amazing 120,290 pads & tampons last year! And 26,313 rolls of toilet paper! The total value of all products we distributed in 2022 was an impressive $49,040. Not bad for a tiny non-profit with no staff or office.

To whoever sent me this amazing unsigned bouquet of flowers; LOVE YOU TOO! It is so lovely. It means so very much and lifts my spirits! xoxo - Sharon

In our 7 years, One Less Worry has had remarkable women on their board. Women who are thoughtful, kind and committed to menstrual issues. On this last day, we'd like to acknowledge:
Rhonda Nordstrom, Cathy Baker, Nancy Wood, Liz Jenkins, Tessa Meil, Tallie Foster, Deborah Fink, Sarah Austin, Morgan Mitchel, Jackie Grannis-Phoenix, and Charlotte Thackeray.
Much gratitude and love. You have all made an important impact in our community!