This Thanksgiving week there two things are at the forefront of Americans minds: eating and shopping. Retail Dive reports that 36% of Americans are expected to shop on Black Friday, with 34% planning to shop on Cyber Monday and though concerns about the economy were at the forefront of the election, shoppers say they have money to blow. Consumers are expecting to spend about $650 over the shopping weekend, according to accounting firm Deloitte.
‘Tis the season to be thankful, and this year Reckon is thankful for the work of abortion funds, which has become even more critical in the face of attacks on reproductive freedom and abortion bans which force people to travel miles from their homes to access the care that they need. These funds, many of which are run by a small number of volunteers, assist patients with the cost for abortion pills or procedures, and the costs associated with travel such as lodging, food, gas, childcare, and more. Many even provide mutual aid in their communities beyond the realm of abortion.
As the demand for financial assistance for folks seeking abortion care increases, funds across the country are facing a deficit as they try to keep up. This summer, funds reported a financial crisis amid increased need, and a decrease in donations since the fall of Roe v. Wade.
“I’m generally not someone to catastrophize the situation, but the reality is that we’ve come together today in crisis,” Oriaku Njoku, executive director of the National Network of Abortion Funds, said on a call with reporters in June. “Abortion funds are finding ways to make reproductive justice a reality in spite of us being in a state of emergency.”
As you find yourself checking off your holiday shopping list, searching for stocking stuffers or looking to treat yourself, Reckon has compiled a list of some of the ways you can help your local fund continue to serve abortion seekers.
Buckle Bunnies Fund operates as a mutual aid collective in Texas, run solely by volunteers. Donations go directly towards abortion funding, diapers, travel costs and other supportive measures.
This year, DC Abortion Fund experienced a record high of calls received, the number of abortion they funded, and days they had to close because of their lack of funding.
Abortion Care Tennessee funds procedural costs for Tennesseans traveling for abortion care.
Arkansas Abortion Support Network’s mission is to empower Arkansans in their right to bodily autonomy and reduce barriers to abortion access by providing funding and necessary resources.
Holler Health Justice is a POC- & queer-led racial, economic & reproductive justice nonprofit in West Virginia, serving Appalachia.
As a practical abortion fund, Midwest Access Coalition helps people traveling to, from, and within the Midwest access a safe abortion by assisting with travel coordination and costs, lodging, food, medicine, and childcare.
Chelsea’s Fund provides financial assistance to afford an abortion, information about accessing abortion care and advocacy to keep abortion services legal in Wyoming.
Carolina Abortion Fund operates a confidential, toll free helpline that provides financial, practical, and emotional support to callers in North and South Carolina trying to access abortion care.
Since 2014, Missouri Abortion Fund has provided funding for more than 12,000 abortions and has provided almost $3,000,000 in financial assistance for patients.
This Louisiana Abortion Fund shirt also comes in trans flag colors.
The Lilith Fund also publishes zines and coloring books on their website to inform patients on how laws impact them and promote self care.
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