WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Monthly periods are something most girls and women go through. But menstrual products can be expensive, and not everyone can afford them each month. This is known as period poverty.
"There's a lot of students who don't go to school at that time because they don't have the products that they need to either just be healthy and clean, or they just can't afford it," said Latricia Scutching with the Junior League of Williamsport.
The Junior League of Williamsport is teaching people what period poverty is. Code Red Period is the group's new initiative, which aims to supply middle and high school students with period products.
"We have bags of products that are loose, like the tampons and pads, but then we also have the weekend bags. The weekend bags are for the girls who are going to their other parent, or they just don't feel comfortable," said Lili Amanda Crum with the Junior League of Williamsport.
In Pennsylvania, there is no government funding for period products. As part of its Code Red Period initiative, the Junior League of Williamsport is collecting menstrual products through its Amazon wish list. They also plan to collect at several area grocery stores. The products will be given to schools in central Pennsylvania.
"A lot of the schools are really nice because they have cupboards for the kids. This way, the girls know where it is. They know they can go to it at any time. It's really great that we can provide those products for those cupboards," Crum said.
"There's also some kids who have split households and they may not be comfortable speaking with one or the other parent regarding these situations. So, it's a safe way to get them these products," Scutching added.
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