Period Power Project
Join Positive Charge! PDX in an effort to alleviate period poverty, a growing public health crisis, even here in Oregon.
You can support our “Collection for a Cause” by donating period and hygiene products, or by joining us in person to assemble Period Packs filled with essential supplies and comfort items.
Positive Charge! PDX's Period Power Project is held in collaboration with PERIOD. The Menstrual Movement, a nonprofit working to ensure that no one is held back by their period, and with the EveryGirl initiative of Ultimate Mission, an organization focused on women's health and empowerment here and around the globe.
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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.
No one should have to choose between food and period supplies. No one should have to stay home from work and school because they lack the funds to purchase essential supplies.
By donating “period products,” you can make a big difference in ensuring Period Power right here in Portland!
How does it work?
Shop & Drop
May 17th & May 18th
11 am - 2 pm
7600 SW Dartmouth St., Tigard
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; must be individually wrapped)
Sanitary pads
(all sizes; must be individually wrapped)
Panty liners
Reusable pads and covers*
Reusable menstrual cups*
Ibuprofen / Motrin
Single hand sanitizers
* Especially these products! They are much easier to maintain and far less expensive on the wallet and the environment over time!
Registry Wishlist
If you can't drop off donations in person, let your fingers do the shopping (and dropping) by ordering something from this Wishlist. Please be sure your donation arrives by May 30th.
This list is also a great place to start in considering what you'll donate. Note: All supplies must be new.
Business-Site Drop-Off
May 10th - May 30th
These generous small businesses are partnering with us to make
donating convenient for you!
SW PORTLAND
7829 SW Capitol Hwy. in Multnomah Village
1525 SW Sunset Blvd
6344 SW Capitol Hwy
Windermere Realty Trust - Raleigh Hills
6443 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy #100
1755 SW Jefferson St
SE PORTLAND
5812 E Burnside
Windermere Realty Trust - Moreland
1610 SE Bybee Blvd
NW PORTLAND
2175 NW Raleigh
Windermere Realty Trust - Pearl
1220 NW Lovejoy St., Suite 130
BEAVERTON
12375 SW Fifth
Beaverton City Library - Murray Scholls
11200 SW Murray Scholls Pl, #102
LAKE OSWEGO
Windermere Realty Trust - Lake Oswego
220 A Avenue, Suite 200
OREGON CITY
508 Main St
900 Main St #104
In-Person Packing Party
Sun., June 1st
1 - 3 pm
Windermere Realty Trust Conference Rm
2045 NE MLK Blvd.
Join other caring, compassionate souls to make cards and assemble supplies into 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 YouGov on behalf of U by Kotex® and shared through the Alliance for Period Supplies revealed that 2 in 5 menstruators have struggled to purchase period products, a 35% increase from the brand’s initial 2018 research. That study also uncovered how Period Poverty disproportionately impacts 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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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 Period. and EveryGirl.
According to a 2023 State of the Period study by PERIOD.,1 in 4 students who menstruate experience period poverty. Without period products, such students are more likely to miss class and fall behind in school.
Is Period Poverty really a problem in Oregon?
According to the Alliance for Period Supplies:
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1 in 7 women and girls between the ages of 12 and 44 live below the Federal Poverty level.
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13% of female students in Oregon's public school grades 7-12 attend Title 1 Eligible schools.
These low-income neighbors might have to choose between purchasing food and period products, although both are basic necessities!
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 12-18, 2025) and International Menstrual Hygiene Day (May 28, 2025)—in an effort to do our part to build awareness of the dire crisis of Period Poverty and in advocating for continued research and policy development regarding this humanitarian issue.
Who will receive the Period Packs we assemble with your donated items?
The assembled Period Packs will be distributed through local organizations such as the Blazers Boys & Girls Club, Neighborhood House, PCC Campus Women’s Resource Center, Transition Projects, Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Clinics, various Oregon City agencies through a partnership with Ultimate Mission, and other TBD organizations.