Period poverty is the inability to afford or access the necessary period products needed to manage a period.

Period Poverty affects 2 in 5 menstruating people in the U.S.

Our Healthy Periods Program collects and distributes period products and other essential menstrual care items to underserved families and individuals across New Jersey through our network of over 80 partner organizations.

How it Works

Items are donated by the community and are sorted by volunteers

Period products and other items are requested for families and individuals by our partner organizations

Items are distributed to families and individuals through our partner organizations

Period Poverty Facts

  • 1 in 3 menstruating people report missing work, school or similar events due to lack of access to period supplies.

  • 1 in 4 menstruating teens in the U.S. report missing school due to lack of access to period products.
  • Lack of access to period supplies is linked to using substitute products (toilet paper, tissues or socks), stretching product usage, and missing important events.
  • Individuals require an average of 6 period products per day.
  • Government safety-net programs do not recognize period products as a basic need.
  • Period products cannot be obtained with food stamps, and are classified with cigarettes, alcohol and pet food as disallowed purchases.
  • 51% of students in the U.S. have worn period products for longer than recommended, putting them at risk of developing urogenital infections and other conditions.

Source: Alliance for Period Supplies

Ready to Get Involved?

We also encourage you to participate in Period Poverty Awareness Week, Menstrual Hygiene Day, and Period Action Day!