NEWS

Project Undercover receives donation of 100K period products to support efforts to end period poverty in RI

Posted 8/11/21

The Rhode Island-based nonprofit Project Undercover recently received a welcomed donation of 100,000 period products from U by Kotex and the Alliance for Period Supplies. The contribution is a big boost to the organization's work to end period poverty in

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in
NEWS

Project Undercover receives donation of 100K period products to support efforts to end period poverty in RI

Posted

The Rhode Island-based nonprofit Project Undercover recently received a welcomed donation of 100,000 period products from U by Kotex and the Alliance for Period Supplies. The contribution is a big boost to the organization’s work to end period poverty in the state.

Period poverty is a growing public health issue nationwide. According to a recent study, 2 in 5 people who menstruate report that they struggle to afford period supplies.

“Period poverty is a real issue here in Rhode Island and the need for help has grown significantly over the last year,” said Richard Fleischer, founder and president of Project Undercover. “A lack of period supplies can cause students to miss days of school, and prevent workers from going to their jobs. This donation from U by Kotex and the Alliance for Period Supplies will help us provide these essential products to more students, families and individuals.”

Period poverty disproportionately impacts Black and Latina people who menstruate, according to the recent study, and COVID-19 has worsened the need for help nationwide.

*A quarter of Black (23%) and Latina (24%) people with periods strongly agree that they’ve struggled to afford period products in the past year.

*27% of all respondents said the COVID-19 pandemic made it difficult to access period products, with two-thirds (65%) of those who have struggled stating they lacked access because they could not afford them.

*Over one-third (38%) of low-income women report missing work, school or similar events due to lack of access to period supplies.

“We can end period poverty in the U.S. by increasing awareness of the issue, expanding community-based programs like Project Undercover, and advocating for changes in public policy,” said Jennifer Gaines, program director at the Alliance for Period Supplies. “We encourage the Rhode Island community, businesses, and policy makers to join with us in supporting Project Undercover and their vital work.”

Project Undercover, a member of the Alliance for Period Supplies, collects and distributes material basic necessities to more than two-dozen community action partnerships and social service agencies throughout the state based on data from the RI Department of Human Services. These partner agencies are then able to provide supplies directly to individuals and families in their respective communities.

The Alliance for Period Supplies is an initiative of the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN) – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that leads a nationwide movement aimed at helping individuals and families who struggle to afford material basic needs. Launched in May 2018, with the support of founding sponsor U by Kotex, the Alliance for Period Supplies raises national awareness of period poverty (#periodpoverty) and supports the development and expansion of period supply programs in communities throughout the country. The organization is comprised of more than 115 allied programs that collect, warehouse and distribute menstrual/period supplies in local communities. More information on Alliance for Period Supplies is available at allianceforperiodsupplies.org, and on Twitter and Instagram (@periodsupplies) as well as on Facebook (facebook.com/AllianceForPeriodSupplies).

project undercover, period productis

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here