Our wonderful Rotarians Marie Presti, Liz Tavares, Rae Mintz, Gayemarie Brown, and Presti Group colleague Tiffany Arsenault  spent a great day visiting Dignity Matters.  We packed women's underwear with personalized notes (you matter) for the women Dignity Matters supports.  Dignity Matters is a Massachusetts-based non-profit organization dedicated to addressing period poverty by providing free menstrual products, bras, and underwear to women, girls, and transgender men who are homeless or disadvantaged. Our mission is to help individuals stay healthy, regain self-confidence, and live with basic dignity.

We were in awe of CEO and Founder Kate Sanetra-Butler's story – A former a corporate executive and now a mother of two  was asked by a young homeless woman in Copley Square, Boston for a spare tampon. The unexpected encounter in June 2016 turned out to be transformational.

Further inquiry into the reality of life for homeless women, which uncovered a desperate need: women at homeless shelters very often have to go without feminine sanitary products and underwear.   So SHE DID SOMETHING ABOUT IT. and Dignity Matters was born.  

Most people wrongly assume that if a woman receives SNAP benefits (formerly Food Stamps) or uses homeless shelter services, then such basic items are provided. People also assume that all public schools supply sanitary napkins to girls who need them. This could not be further from the truth: women can’t use SNAP benefits to purchase sanitary products or bras for themselves or their daughter, and despite their best efforts, most shelters and public schools in Massachusetts cannot cope with the demand for these products. Because menstrual products are not covered by SNAP benefits, those in need are forced to make impossible choices between buying food or menstrual care.  Supporting 170 Massachuesetts non-profits Dignity Matters distributs over 3.8 million items to individuals in need across Massachusetts. Each month, we serve over 17,000 individuals, providing them with the menstrual products, bras, and underwear they need to stay clean, healthy, and comfortable.  

This is an impressive, detailed, complex operation and we were happy to do our small part.  Stay tuned as we determine how else we might serve this organization.  Our outing ended at lunch which is always a great way to spend more time with wonderful women - Rotary is about community, service above self AND fun!

The Newton Rotary Club is proud to announce a significant commitment to addressing food insecurity in our community. In collaboration with the City of Newton, the Harmony Foundation, and Village Bank, Newton Rotary is donating $1,000 to each participating local food pantry as part of a community-wide food drive honoring the enduring legacies of Setti Warren and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

This initiative reflects the shared values championed by Dr. King and Setti Warren—service, justice, dignity, and collective responsibility. It also recognizes a simple truth: while moments of unity inspire action, the need to support families facing food insecurity does not end with a single event or season.

A Community Challenge

Newton Rotary is issuing a challenge to our community—to civic organizations, faith communities, businesses, neighborhood groups, and individuals—to match our donations or rally alongside us. Together, we can amplify the impact of this effort and ensure that support for our neighbors continues well beyond this drive.

“This is a powerful moment for our community, but it must also be a sustained one,” said Gayemarie Brown, President of the Newton Rotary Club. “We challenge others to stand with us. The spirit of service embodied by Setti Warren and Dr. King reminds us that the work of ensuring dignity and access for all is ongoing. This need continues, and so must our commitment.”

How Your Support Helps

All food and household items donated at Village Bank, the Newton Free Library, or Newton City Hall will be equally distributed among the participating food pantries:

• Newton Food Pantry

• Centre Street Pantry

• Arabic Baptist Food Pantry

What to Donate

The greatest needs include:

• Canned proteins (tuna, chicken, beans)

• Nut butters

• Rice, pasta, and grains

• Canned fruits and vegetables

• Cooking oils, spices, and shelf-stable staples

• Baby supplies (wipes, diapers)

• Toiletries and household essentials

Newton Rotary Challenge!

This food drive continues through February, but its purpose extends far beyond that timeline. By coming together now—and committing to ongoing support—we honor the legacy of leaders who believed deeply in community action and shared responsibility.

Join Newton Rotary in meeting this challenge. Match our commitment. Strengthen our community. Ensure every family has access to nourishing food and the dignity of choice.

Thanks to Marie’s energy and drive we also had a great opportunity to deliver extra pies to our first responders – Newton Fire Department and Newton Police Department, many of whom give up their Thanksgiving to be on call to serve our community. Members of Newton Rotary were out delivering our gratitude to the men and women who keep us safe.