Period Equity
Project
Donate menstrual products and other hygiene and comfort items—or join us in person to assemble Equity Period Packs!
This Positive Charge! PDX "collection for a cause" and supporting events amplify the efforts of Equity, period. This Oregon nonprofit distributes free period products to our neighbors in need in an effort to alleviate Period Poverty, a growing public health crisis, even in Oregon!
A Positive Charge! PDX project in collaboration with
Why period products?
Many of our low-income neighbors—think people living under the federal poverty threshold, refugees, migrant farmworkers, and the houseless— struggle to afford menstrual products. They often have to choose between buying food or essential hygiene supplies and resort to using socks, toilet paper, or even folded plain paper in lieu of appropriate items.
Such lack of access to basic hygiene needs may make menstruators feel helpless or embarrassed, cause them to miss school or work, or put their health at risk. By donating “period products” that’ll be distributed through the nonprofit Equity,period., you can make a big difference in striving for Period Equity right here in Portland!
How does it work?
Shop & Drop Kick-Off
Sat., May 11 . . . 11 am - 2 pm
Tigard Walmart Parking Lot
7600 SW Dartmouth St., Tigard
To kick off this important project, we'll be on hand to accept donations of menstrual supplies. Look for the PC! PDX tent! Products we're looking for include:
Tampons (all sizes)
Sanitary pads (all sizes)
Panty liners
Reusable pads and covers
Reusable menstrual cups
Ibuprofen
Heat patches for cramps
Single hand sanitizers
Business-Site Drop-Off
Sun., May 12 - Fri., May 31
These generous small-business owners are partnering with us to make donating convenient for you!
5414 SW Bvt-Hillsdale Hwy
7829 SW Capitol Hwy. in Multnomah Village
5812 E Burnside
New Seasons Market - Raleigh Hills
7300 SW Bvt-Hillsdale Hwy
Amazon Wishlist
If you can't drop off donations in person, let your fingers do the shopping (and dropping) by ordering something from this Amazon Wishlist. Please be sure your donation arrives by May 31.
This list is also a great place to start in considering what you'll donate. Note: All supplies must be new.
In-Person Packaging Party
Sun., June 2 . . . 2 - 4 pm
Southwest Community Center
6820 SW 45th Ave.
Join other caring, compassionate souls to make cards and assemble supplies into Equity Period Packs. RSVP required, as space is limited.
FAQs
Are there really that many people who can't afford period products?
A 2023 study commissioned by Dignity Grows reported that more than one third (35.8%) of American women at some point in their lives experience Period Poverty.
A 2021 study conducted by U by Kotex® and shared through the Alliance for Period Supplies revealed that 2 in 5 people have struggled to purchase period products, a 35% increase from the brand’s initial 2018 research. That study also uncovered how Period Poverty is disproportionately impacting Black and Latina people, as well as how COVID-19 exasperated this public health issue. Other key findings included:
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Over one-third (38%) of low-income people with periods report missing work, school, or similar commitments due to lack of access to period supplies.
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1 in 4 American teens has missed class due to a lack of access to period supplies.
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Nearly 7 in 10 (68%) Americans agree that Period Poverty is a public health issue, yet only 4% of Americans are aware of a local resource where free or reduced cost period supplies are available. This is why it's important to amplify the work of local organizations like Equity, period. and Dignity Grows.
Is Period Poverty really a problem in Oregon?
According to the Alliance for Period Supplies:
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1 in 6 menstruating Oregonians between the ages of 12 and 44
live below the Federal Poverty level and would be included in the dire numbers related to Period Poverty.
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13% of menstruating students in Oregon's public school grades 7-12 attend Title 1 Eligible schools.
Can’t people get period products through government programs?
Menstrual hygiene supplies are not covered by SNAP, WIC, or other government programs and are rarely available at food pantries. Fortunately, Oregon passed the Menstrual Dignity Act in 2021, making period products available and free in all Oregon public schools, deeming them as necessary as toilet paper, but these basic supplies may not be available at home, let alone on the street.
Why host this collection now?
We're hosting our collection and related events in conjunction with national Period Poverty Awareness Week (May 20-26, 2024) and International Menstrual Hygiene Day (May 28, 2024)—in an effort to do our part in building awareness of the dire crisis of Period Poverty and in advocating for continued research and policy development regarding this humanitarian issue.
