What Is Period Poverty?
Period poverty is the lack of access to sanitary products, toilets, menstrual hygiene education, hand washing facilities, and/or waste management (American Medical Women’s Association, October 2019). Lack of access to these period supplies is closely tied to poverty and under-resourced communities. It often results in stress and shame, as well as time lost from school and work.
Much like diapers, period supplies are not covered by most federally funded public assistance programs because they are not food items. Period poverty is a public health issue, resulting in mental health issues including feelings of shame, hopelessness, and isolation, as well as poor bodily hygiene and significant risks to physical well-being.
How Can I Help?
Together we can educate our neighbors about this often-hidden public health issue—one that affects thousands of people here in New Jersey.
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey is the state’s largest anti-hunger and anti-poverty organization, is a member of Feeding America® and a founding allied program of the National Diaper Bank Network’s Alliance for Period Supplies (APS). Our Period Initiative provides period supplies to low-income, homeless and sheltered people across CFBNJ’s service area.
Upcoming Events
Saturday, May 4, 2024 – For the first time ever, in partnership with Village Supermarkets and Procter & Gamble, Women Fighting Hunger will be hosting a #GreatBigPeriodProductDrive collection day at select ShopRite stores on May 4 from 9 am to 2 pm. At this one-day event, we will be collecting period products (pads, tampons, liners, etc.) and cash donations.
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- ShopRite of Old Bridge: 600 Schulmeister Road, Old Bridge, NJ
- ShopRite of Livingston: 483 S Livingston Avenue, Livingston, NJ
- ShopRite of Greater Morristown: 178 E Hanover Ave, Morristown, NJ
- ShopRite of Somers Point is located at 23 Bethel Rd, Somers Point, NJ
Thursday, May 2, 6-8pm – Quartet (9 S Passaic Ave, Chatham, NJ 07928) will host a special shopping night. 20% of sales will be donated to the #GreatBigPeriodProductDrive
Raise Awareness
Period Poverty Awareness Week is May 20 – May 28, 2023. Help us spread the word by getting your organization, members, colleagues, friends and family to participate in our annual #GreatPeriodProductDrive. If we all amplify the same messages about period poverty on social media, we can magnify our collective efforts for big visibility and bigger success!
In 2023, Bill A1349, which required school districts to provide period products in schools at the state’s cost, was approved by legislators. Women Fighting Hunger members, as well asseveral other local advocacy groups, wrote to legislators in support of this bill. The work of members educating their networks and supporting the bills was critical to making this happen.
Virtual Period Product Drive
$25 donated can provide a year’s worth of maxi pads for our neighbors in need. With its incredible purchasing power, CFBNJ can procure more pads per dollar than any individual alone. Some people in your community may want to skip the store and elect to help our neighbors in need through a virtual period product drive or by donating to the Women Fighting Hunger’s virtual period product drive.
You can also contribute by purchasing items from CFBNJ’s Amazon wishlist and having them sent directly to the FoodBank.
Host a Period Product Drive
Bring your community together and host a period product drive to collect maxi pads and liners. Our toolkit, linked in the sidebar, provides several ideas and materials you might need. We also provide a Period Equity Packing Kit for those who’d like to get the community together to make up bags containing much-needed supplies. Our CFBNJ locations in Egg Harbor Township and Hillside will accept your donation. Please tell us your timetable too so we’ll be expecting your items. Register your period product drive at the contact form below.
