NBC News 2 Announces Alliance for Period Supplies of SWFL Donation to St. Matthew’s House
NBC News covers an update about Period Poverty. The Alliance for Period Supplies of SWFL has donated 250,000 period products to St Matthew’s House to meet the needs of their clients. As a result, over 1,000 financially challenged women in our community will now have access to reliable and dignified menstrual care.
“This donation represents a major advancement in our ongoing mission to support the health and well-being of students and working women in our community,” stated Dusti Beaubien, President of Alliance for Period supplies of SWFL. “The lack of access to period products is a significant barrier that often results in missed school or workdays, hindering educational and professional progress. By providing these essential supplies to St. Matthew’s House, we are helping to remove this obstacle, fostering both physical health and continuity in education and employment.”
One in four women struggled to buy period products within the past year due to lack of income. The inability to access period supplies can force women to use rags, socks, or paper products, which can lead to infection and create anxiety.
The Alliance for Period Supplies of SWFL is the only organization in the region consistently providing period products to women and girls in Collier and Lee counties. Since it was founded in 2019, the organization has distributed more than 7 million period products to women and girls in need.
Through partnerships with 33 local agencies throughout Collier and Lee counties, APS of SWFL distributes period supplies at over 200 locations.
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These Period Poverty Facts are Surprising.
Maybe Even Shocking.
1 in 4 women and girls struggled to purchase period products due to lack of income.
Period Poverty has increased 35% since 2018.
38% of people who menstruate have missed events or activities in the past year due to lack of period supplies.
2 in 5 girls have missed school because they cannot afford period products. They can miss up to 20% of their education if they miss school every month.
State and Federal programs (SNAP/Food Stamps) cannot be used to purchase period supplies. They are considered a luxury item.
Rags, socks, and newspaper are poor substitutes which do not provide adequate period protection or reliability.
Those who struggle to purchase period supplies felt strong negative emotions.
Embarrassment 47%
Ashamed 35%
Depressed 32%