The problem of affording bread and milk might be less delicate to talk about than the difficulty of paying for feminine hygiene products.

But organizers of the "On the Spot" campaign are trying to garner support to help girls who can't afford their more personal needs.

Jennifer England, a communications consultant from Greenfield, and Desiree Van Tassel, a nonprofit project manager from Lawrenceville, started the project after they heard that some girls skip school because they don't have the necessary sanitary supplies.

"Education is the key to a good future for these girls," said Ms. England. "If they are worried about whether or not they're going to be able to go to school because they have their period or they're sitting in class completely distracted because they don't have their supplies, they're not going to be able to focus on school and will fall behind."

The project will hold a back-to-school fundraiser from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Remedy in Lawrenceville. Admission will be $10, or $5 plus a box of sanitary napkins or tampons. More information is available on the web at pghonthespot.wordpress.com.

As a result of its earlier efforts this year, more than 1,700 pads were distributed to seven local schools, a women's shelter and several after-school or summer programs for girls.

In addition, several hundred personal care bags for boys and girls -- containing toothpaste, deodorant and lotion as well as feminine supplies for girls -- were provided.

Money and supplies are distributed through Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania Education Fund.

Sue Steele, vice president for education for Planned Parenthood, said teachers at a school on the North Side told Planned Parenthood workers that some girls could not afford supplies and missed school.

She said some teachers and school staff members bought sanitary supplies for the girls. Planned Parenthood got some donations to help out. Later, Ms. England and Ms. Van Tassel created their organization.

Ms. Steele said she hopes the group can put a box with sanitary supplies, deodorant and lotion in every school in the city as well as in some schools in surrounding districts.

Ebony Pugh, spokeswoman for Pittsburgh Public Schools, said the district has sanitary supplies available.

"We don't find this to be a problem in the district. Most of the kids do bring them themselves. The nurses do have a supply," she said.

Joyce Rothermel, CEO of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, said an inability to afford sanitary supplies is "one of the struggles of being poor."

She said that government food aid can be used only for food, so families who are strapped for cash sometimes skimp on personal hygiene, paper and cleaning products.

Using the expected federal economic stimulus money, the food bank spent $66,567 for feminine hygiene products to be distributed between June 1 and Sept. 30.

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