ROCKVILLE, Md. — As this government shutdown becomes the longest in history, families are struggling to meet their basic needs. While the main conversation centers on food — women are also struggling to afford feminine hygiene products.

"Hunger is making the headlines, but women's needs are not, and period poverty is truly the invisible side effect of the shutdown," said Founder and Executive Director of I Support the Girls, Dana Marlowe.

Marlowe started the non-profit in Maryland more than 10 years ago to provide free bras, underwear, pads, tampons, and other feminine hygiene products to women who need them.

Since the shutdown began, Marlowe said individual service requests jumped 101%, and they saw an 83% increase in inbox volume.

"The need has been absolutely tremendous," she said.

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