What is Period Poverty?
Did you know that in the US, consumers spend over $2 billion per year on menstrual products? While menstrual hygiene is a necessity, these products are NOT covered by any government program such as WIC, SNAP, or Medicaid. Many government officials do not consider access to menstrual hygiene products a basic necessity. Twenty two states do not even recognize them as “necessary items” and they are therefore taxed at higher “luxury tax”, including here in SOUTH CAROLINA!
In SC alone, over 400,000 people who menstruate live in poverty. That’s 5 million packs needed by menstruators every year just in our state. Menstruation is a key reason why people miss work and school because they do not have proper access to these necessities. Over 78% of students report that they do not have the necessary items to get through their cycle on a regular basis. A survey done in the US found that nearly 20% of all menstruators miss days of school or work each month due to their cycle and lack of access to menstrual hygiene products. The lack of these basic necessities is debilitating, embarrassing and stigmatizing for many menstruators.
Lack of access to menstrual products is an issue that has not been broached much in the United States, unlike the need for food, clothing, or even diapers. Many menstrual hygiene products are not covered under HSAs or FSAs. However, dietary items supplements, nasal strips, antacids, Viagra, corn/callus removers, first aid kits, and cough drops are all covered. Tampons and pads are the LEAST donated item to shelters. Pads are the MOST needed item. On average, people who menstruate will use over 16,000 tampons and pads over the course of their lifetime. Lack of access to these supplies leads menstruators to seek other means of menstrual protection, using old newspapers, toilet paper, old clothes, etc, to assist with menstrual protection.
It's Quite Simple...
We Collect and Distribute Menstrual Hygiene Supplies.
Period.
The Lowcountry Period Pixies accept donations of individually wrapped menstrual hygiene supplies which consist of tampons, maxi pads, hygiene wipes, and liners, which we distribute to schools and organizations throughout the tri-county area. Our mission is to assure that every menstruator is afforded dignity by providing period products, education, and advocacy in our service area. Period. We have lived up to this promise. Our organization, led by our fearless leader, Melissa Soule, began in the summer of 2018. We had our first packing event to collect supplies for Berkeley County School District. In 2018, the organization was in 44 schools statewide; now our organization provides menstrual hygiene supplies to all public schools in the tricounty area! We serve over 50 shelters, food banks, Section-8 housing facilities, mental health facilities, foster services, and other organizations. We have also partnered with The Lowcountry Blessing Box Project, where a network of volunteers “adopt” a blessing box and supply it with menstrual hygiene supplies. In our first six months, The Lowcountry Period Pixies donated 12,927 period packs to people in need in the Lowcountry. As of December 2022, we have donated more than 150,000 packs to schools, shelters, and others in the tri-county area. Click below to learn about all the ways you can volunteer with the Lowcountry Period Pixies.
Upcoming Events
Are you interested in hosting a packing event? Learn more about packing events here, fill out the packing agreement, and contact us to schedule your event today!