Nonprofit of the Month: The Mooncatcher Project

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Happy Thursday, Capital Region! Today, we’re introducing a new regular feature, recognizing a Nonprofit of the Month. First up is The Mooncatcher Project, which tackles period poverty abroad and at home. It’s a timely topic with Women’s History Month in March. And don’t miss our top picks for this St. Patrick’s Day weekend! ☘️ 

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

Nonprofit of the Month: The Mooncatcher Project 🌙 

It all started with a plastic bag blowing in the wind. 

In 2010, Ellie von Wellsheim, founder and executive director of The MoonCatcher Project, heard a story at a Women’s Global Giving Circle meeting in Saratoga that changed everything. A volunteer had visited a school in Africa and saw children chasing after leftover lunch wrappings—not to trash them, but to take them home for their mothers to remake into menstrual supplies. 

“I was shocked,” Ellie recalls. “Women have been menstruating since the beginning of time—how could this still be a problem?”

That moment sparked a personal mission that has now spread across 35+ countries, providing free reusable menstrual kits to girls in need. Without supplies, girls often skip school during their periods, which contributes to dropout, early marriage, and cycles of poverty.

Tapping into her background in sewing and pattern-making, Ellie designed the first Mooncatcher Kit—a reusable, washable menstrual pad system that costs $5 to make. Unlike disposable products that are more expensive and create waste, these kits can last for many months. 

“Reusables prevent pollution while keeping girls in school,” she says.

The project has established sewing guilds to make MoonCatcher Kits in Uganda, Malawi and Kenya. There’s also a sewing center in India, where women are employed full-time.

Tackling period poverty closer to home

Here in the Capital District, the organization stocks period pantries, fashioned out of repurposed newspaper stands and constantly filled with disposable supplies by volunteers. There are 7 outdoor pantries in Albany and Schenectady, plus 5 inside Schenectady High School.

“This isn’t just a global issue—it’s happening right here,” Ellie says.

The organization also hosts local MoonBees—sewing events where volunteers (women and men) cut, sew, and assemble kits. “You don’t have to know how to sew,” she says. “There’s a job for everyone.”

How you can help

“Pads are what people want most,” Ellie notes, though tampons, cash donations, and volunteers are always needed and appreciated. Organizations can host collection drives, and anyone can attend a MoonBee. Check the website for announcements and ways to get involved.

Every year, Ellie throws a big birthday bash for herself (with a menstrual-themed cake, of course) and asks guests to bring donations. Hundreds do, and up to 30,000 pads and tampons are collected at this one event. This year, the birthday party is on March 31 at Faith United Methodist Church in Schenectady. Full details here.

☘️ WEATHER WATCH

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☕️ In case you missed it, Uncommon Grounds is now open for business in North Greenbush (in the same plaza as Home Depot). The local chain also recently opened in the Empire State Plaza Concourse. Apparently, they have quite the following for their coffee and bagels.

🥗 Also just opened is PDT Maison in Saratoga. Helmed by chef Adam Foti, the fast-casual lunch and brunch restaurant features a menu with Niçoise salad, focaccia sandwiches, eggs Benedict, quiche, protein bowls and burgers. Prices start at $12. [Albany Business Review]

🍊The Trump administration’s vast cuts to the federal government are being felt everywhere. The National Weather Service recently halted a weather balloon launch in Albany, concerning farmers and other folks who rely on weather data. Without this kind of monitoring, “we would expect to see less accurate, less reliable weather forecasts,” says one Cornell scientist. [NPR News]

⭐️ = The 518 Staff Picks

⭐️ 🌘 It’s been a bonkers week, and you can blame it on tonight’s Blood Moon total lunar eclipse. The eclipse begins at 11:57p and goes into totality beginning at 2:26a. You’ll be able to see it with your naked eye, but a telescope would be even better. The folks at NASA have tips for viewing.

⭐️ ☘️ On Saturday, the big St. Patrick’s Day Parade steps off at Lexington & Central in Albany, starting at 2p.

☘️ Other notable green-tinted gatherings: Lark Street Tavern, Waterworks Pub, McGeary’s Irish Pub, Lost & Found, Katie O’Byrne’s, Harvey’s Restaurant & Bar, and Speckled Pig. Bar Vegan’s bar crawl. Bootleggers on Broadway’s annual block party. Frog Alley Brewing’s Kegs & Eggs. Hair of the Dog plays at Saratoga’s UPH.

☘️ Here’s the full list of events for St. Patty’s Day around the Capital Region.

⭐️ 🪄 This weekend, No Fun hosts the first ever Wizard Fest. The 3-day, mystical-musical event is a collaboration between Wizard Burger and No Fun, featuring over 10 bands and 15 vendors. The Merciless Metal Market - Vintage Market on Saturday is free. Check out the Metroland preview for full details. All weekend, $8-$10, get tix here.

⭐️ 🌶️ It’s getting hot in here—and we’re not talking about the weather. The Winter Meltdown Spicy Food Festival 2025 in Glens Falls features a variety of tongue-tingling good eats. Sat, 11a-5p, free.

⭐️ 🦎 The 3rd Annual Saratoga Reptile Show slithers into the City Center on Sunday. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about and browse from among hundreds of captive-bred reptiles, amphibians & invertebrates. Sun, 10a-4p, $10.

🎟️ MORE NOTABLE EVENTS

TONIGHT

🍸️ Bailey’s Saratoga invites you to a tequila tasting featuring handcrafted cocktails made with Lalo Tequila and a 5-course dinner. Let’s just hope that one of those courses is 🌮 🌮 

🤘Japanese thrashers Crystal Lake put the pedal to the metal at Empire Underground. Get tix here.

FRIDAY

🎛️ Retrospective: Tara Rodgers presents selected works from her 20+ year oeuvre, with the help of EMPAC’s immersive 4.1 sound. NPR says she mixes audio “signals with thrill and grace and restraint.” Come for the performance and stay for the Q&A session w/ DJ Rekha Malhotra and Stephanie Loveless.

🥧 Nine Pin celebrates Pi Day (3.14) with—what else?—pie and cider pairings.

SATURDAY

🚭️ Youth FX and Capital District Tobacco Free Communities are hosting a free Poetry Slam, with food and refreshments. Expect a lively night of poetry, music & community discussion! The nonprofit org is on a mission to prevent youth tobacco use.

🎻 EYSO Playathon is the Empire State Youth Orchestra’s ensemble event and largest annual fundraiser. Head to Crossgates Mall to take in the talent and dedication of these young musicians, and support their shine.

🥣 Art Omi’s Raising Supper Opening Celebration is the opening reception for Erin Besler’s “Staging Area: A Barn Raising in Two Parts.” Echoing the spirit of a traditional barn raising, Enoki, an Asian pantry in Saugerties, will offer bowls of warm congee and other communal dishes steeped in Chinese tradition. Free, but RSVPs encouraged.

SUNDAY

🦉 At 2pm, head to the Albany Pine Bush Preserve for a bird-watching lesson featuring “Aerial Acrobats” (hawks and owls). Binoculars provided so you can get up close and personal with these incredible predatory aerialists!

🏋️ American records may be broken at the NYS Powerlifting Championships at the Albany Capital Center, on Sun and Mon.

🍀 Let’s keep the party going… Toss the Feathers puts on a free performance of traditional Irish music at the NYS Museum.

🎸 LIVE MUSIC & MORE

GET YOUR EVENT ON THE LIST 🎸

Sundays are the deadline to be included in the coming week’s list!

🦫 GET IN TOUCH!

Got an awesome business, event or personality we should feature? Let us know! Contact: [email protected]