As a feminist, it recently piqued my interest when I heard that the Options Fund is having money trouble. The Options Fund is entirely volunteer run, has been around for 17 years, and helped over 100 women last year alone. It’s a local fund that loans/grants money to women in Northwest Wisconsin for abortions, and they are on the verge of having to turn women away without any money.

The average assistance given is $244, but the average procedure costs about $600. All money goes directly to support the women. It is sent to the clinic after the procedure has been performed. They do ask women to pay about 25 percent of the loan back so they can help others in the same situation.

Despite the fact that abortion is legal, some women don’t have the money and can’t access a safe abortion. Women in the area don’t have access to abortion in their community, so they are already covering costs for travel, child care, time off from work, and are also overcoming legislative barriers like 24-hour waiting periods and parental consent.

The Options Fund does do fundraisers, but the need is currently exceeding their income. I encourage you to get on their mailing list and send them a letter, or a check, to PO Box 473, Eau Claire, WI 54702. Help if you can!