From Help A Girl Out USA
This Women’s History Month, the Help a Girl Out (HAGO) initiative is proud to celebrate its fifth anniversary, marking half a decade of community-driven action to combat period poverty. What began as a grassroots effort by a dedicated group of women has evolved into a powerhouse of regional support, ensuring that students and individuals across Berks and Schuylkill counties can pursue their daily activities with dignity.
To honor this milestone, HAGO has released the commemorative origin story, highlighting the visionary women who started the movement. Supporters can view the interview panel-style program online via BCTV. Additionally, the initiative has launched a brand-new digital home: HelpAGirlOutUSA.com, a central hub for news, resources, and ways to get involved.
Expanded reach and strategic partnerships
Now in its second year of expanded regional reach, HAGO continues to grow through the vital support of its distribution partners. Co-County Wellness Services leads the charge in outreach and distribution coordination, while Helping Harvest provides the essential warehousing and logistics expertise required to manage the project’s increasing scale.
This year’s momentum was fueled by an expanded series of kickoff events across the region. In addition to the signature West Reading kickoff at the Be Mine Boutique, led by shop owner and HAGO USA co-founder Ali Pakradooni, the initiative celebrated its first-ever Schuylkill County kickoff and a VIP kickoff hosted at Helping Harvest’s new community kitchen. These events directly contributed to a massive increase in community participation, allowing the team to distribute 118 collection boxes this year — nearly doubling the 60 boxes deployed last year.
This past fall, the project received a significant boost in awareness following the recognition of HAGO Co-Founder Suzanne Cody by the American Fundraising Professionals and the West Reading-Wyomissing Rotary. Their acknowledgement of the initiative’s impact has helped catalyze further community support for the 2026 drive.
2026 timeline and order process
As HAGO transitions into the distribution phase, the following steps and deadlines are in place:
- Order forms: Co-County Wellness Services is currently facilitating order forms. These are being distributed to student populations via the Berks and Schuylkill County Intermediate Units, and to social service organizations through the United Way of Berks and Schuylkill Counties.
- Deadline: Any group in need of supplies can download a form at HelpAGirlOutUSA.com or contact Co-County Wellness Services. All forms must be returned by Tuesday, March 31.
- A note on quantities: Because these are single-use essentials, HAGO USA emphasizes that quantities are counted by the individual unit. For example, an order for “one tampon” refers to a single item rather than a box. We kindly ask for the community’s patience as our dedicated team of volunteers meticulously tallies these individual units to ensure every request is met with accuracy to the best of our capacity.
Five years of growth
The impact of HAGO USA is best measured by the generosity of the community over the last five years. From its humble beginnings to its current status as a regional staple, the collection numbers tell a story of consistent, exponential growth:
- 2022: (+/- 6 2’x2’ boxes) of items collected
- 2023: 19,928 items collected
- 2024: 47,314 items collected
- 2025: 88,889 items collected
- 2026: 138,367 items collected
“This project is a gift from the community to the community,” said Suzanne Cody, part of the HAGO USA leadership team. “By ensuring access to these basic necessities, we are making sure that women, girls, and all menstruators can go to school, work, and participate in everyday activities with dignity.”
For more information on the timeline or to view the anniversary video, please visit www.HelpAGirlOutUSA.com.
About Help a Girl Out USA
Help a Girl Out USA is a Berks and Schuylkill counties community-led initiative dedicated to providing feminine products and diapers to local menstruators. Through a network of volunteers and business partners, HAGO USA strives to provide essential hygiene products to people in need, so they may go about normal, everyday activities with dignity.
About Co-County Wellness
Co-County Wellness Services (CCWS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to improving public health in Berks and Schuylkill counties. Founded in 1985, CCWS provides free, confidential, and comprehensive services, including HIV/STI testing and counseling, case management, and sexual health education. Through community-based outreach and advocacy, CCWS is committed to fostering a healthier, more informed community.
About Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank
Helping Harvest is dedicated to feeding the hungry and reducing food insecurity across Berks and Schuylkill counties. Operating as a critical hub, we distribute over 11 million pounds of food annually — including fresh, nutritious produce — to more than 300 partner agencies, schools, and programs.
