The Monthlies Project is Committed to Ending Period Poverty in the Fox Cities

The Monthlies Project is Committed to Ending Period Poverty in the Fox Cities

A new fund has been established to raise money to distribute menstrual health products to local schools

 

Appleton, WI (July 2022) – The Monthlies Project is a new community initiative aimed at providing menstrual health products to school-aged students and bringing awareness to the issue of period poverty in the Fox Cities. The initiative was formed in the spirit of collaboration between a number of community members who represent Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, the Women’s Fund of the Fox Valley, Fox Communities Credit Union, The Boldt Company, Coalesce Marketing and Design, and ThedaCare.

“The Monthlies Project is an example of the real change that takes place when a community bands together to solve an issue,” said Patti Habeck, president and CEO of Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin. “It has taken the collective efforts of passionate and caring individuals to launch this project and finally address period poverty in our schools.”

By definition, period poverty is when someone experiences inadequate access to menstrual hygiene products and education. Menstrual products are expensive in the U.S., which makes it difficult for people, especially teens, to afford period products. Instead, they rely on what is supplied by school districts and stored within a school clinic or school nurse’s office.

Lack of access to menstrual health products can cause students with periods to miss or be late to class, or feel anxious about period care. According to the “State of the Period: The Widespread Impact of Period Poverty on US Students” report, 84% of young menstruators in school have either personally, or know someone, who missed class due to a lack of access to health products. Additionally, 66% of teens report that they do not want to be at school during their period because of shame and self-consciousness.

“Period products are a basic necessity, and far too many menstruators are left with limited options for hygiene products,” says Ellie Mertes, a senior at Neenah High School. “Something as simple as a pad can allow students to direct their focus and energy into their school day rather than their period troubles.”

The Monthlies Project is 100% supported by donations and has set up a fund through the Women’s Fund of the Fox Valley so the initiative can distribute period products to local schools and community programs.

“Our mission, to promote the advancement of women and girls, can only happen when essentials like period products are available to all who need them, regardless of their economic circumstances,” said Julie Keller, executive director of Women’s Fund for the Fox Valley Region. “Also raising awareness of the issues and challenges facing women and girls, like period poverty, is core to our work. We are excited to play a role in meeting this need for our community. We know the greatest impact can be had when we all come together.”

The Monthlies Project has set a goal of raising $100,000 which will supply approximately 625 girls with menstrual products for an entire year. These costs are based on an estimated $13.25 per month, over the course of 12 months.

“Kimberly-Clark North America and its U by Kotex® Brand are honored to be the lead sponsor of The Monthlies Project,” says Mindy Langelin, Senior Brand Manager for U by Kotex®. “U by Kotex® is committed to helping end period poverty and firmly believes that a period should never get in the way of a woman’s progress. We are proud to support the coalition and the important work they are doing for students right here in our community.”

The Monthlies Project is planning its inaugural fundraiser for Thursday, October 6, 2022 at Poplar Hall in Appleton. To learn more about the initiative, the event or how to donate to the fund, visit our website at monthliesproject.com.

 

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About The Monthlies Project:
The Monthlies Project is a community initiative aimed at providing menstrual health products to school-aged students and bringing awareness to the issue of period poverty and the educational inequity it creates. The Monthlies Fund, within the Women’s Fund for the Fox Valley Region, will be a resource to schools and community programs in the Fox Valley and products are sourced through a number of local community partners. More info here: monthliesproject.com.

 

MEDIA CONTACT
Contact: Alison Fiebig
Bellin Health
920-915-4389 (cell)
Alison.Fiebig@bellin.org

 

Download PDF Press Release

Connect with The Monthlies Project

The Monthlies Project

The Monthlies Project is a community initiative providing menstrual health products to school-aged students and bringing awareness to the issue of period poverty and the educational inequity it creates.

The Monthlies Project is Committed to Ending Period Poverty in the Fox Cities

A new fund has been established to raise money to distribute menstrual health products to local schools

 

Appleton, WI (July 2022) – The Monthlies Project is a new community initiative aimed at providing menstrual health products to school-aged students and bringing awareness to the issue of period poverty in the Fox Cities. The initiative was formed in the spirit of collaboration between a number of community members who represent Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, the Women’s Fund of the Fox Valley, Fox Communities Credit Union, The Boldt Company, Coalesce Marketing and Design, and ThedaCare.

“The Monthlies Project is an example of the real change that takes place when a community bands together to solve an issue,” said Patti Habeck, president and CEO of Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin. “It has taken the collective efforts of passionate and caring individuals to launch this project and finally address period poverty in our schools.”

By definition, period poverty is when someone experiences inadequate access to menstrual hygiene products and education. Menstrual products are expensive in the U.S., which makes it difficult for people, especially teens, to afford period products. Instead, they rely on what is supplied by school districts and stored within a school clinic or school nurse’s office.

Lack of access to menstrual health products can cause students with periods to miss or be late to class, or feel anxious about period care. According to the “State of the Period: The Widespread Impact of Period Poverty on US Students” report, 84% of young menstruators in school have either personally, or know someone, who missed class due to a lack of access to health products. Additionally, 66% of teens report that they do not want to be at school during their period because of shame and self-consciousness.

“Period products are a basic necessity, and far too many menstruators are left with limited options for hygiene products,” says Ellie Mertes, a senior at Neenah High School. “Something as simple as a pad can allow students to direct their focus and energy into their school day rather than their period troubles.”

The Monthlies Project is 100% supported by donations and has set up a fund through the Women’s Fund of the Fox Valley so the initiative can distribute period products to local schools and community programs.

“Our mission, to promote the advancement of women and girls, can only happen when essentials like period products are available to all who need them, regardless of their economic circumstances,” said Julie Keller, executive director of Women’s Fund for the Fox Valley Region. “Also raising awareness of the issues and challenges facing women and girls, like period poverty, is core to our work. We are excited to play a role in meeting this need for our community. We know the greatest impact can be had when we all come together.”

The Monthlies Project has set a goal of raising $100,000 which will supply approximately 625 girls with menstrual products for an entire year. These costs are based on an estimated $13.25 per month, over the course of 12 months.

“Kimberly-Clark North America and its U by Kotex® Brand are honored to be the lead sponsor of The Monthlies Project,” says Mindy Langelin, Senior Brand Manager for U by Kotex®. “U by Kotex® is committed to helping end period poverty and firmly believes that a period should never get in the way of a woman’s progress. We are proud to support the coalition and the important work they are doing for students right here in our community.”

The Monthlies Project is planning its inaugural fundraiser for Thursday, October 6, 2022 at Poplar Hall in Appleton. To learn more about the initiative, the event or how to donate to the fund, visit our website at monthliesproject.com.

 

###

 

About The Monthlies Project:
The Monthlies Project is a community initiative aimed at providing menstrual health products to school-aged students and bringing awareness to the issue of period poverty and the educational inequity it creates. The Monthlies Fund, within the Women’s Fund for the Fox Valley Region, will be a resource to schools and community programs in the Fox Valley and products are sourced through a number of local community partners. More info here: monthliesproject.com.

 

MEDIA CONTACT
Contact: Alison Fiebig
Bellin Health
920-915-4389 (cell)
Alison.Fiebig@bellin.org

 

Download PDF Press Release

Connect with The Monthlies Project

The Monthlies Project

The Monthlies Project is a community initiative providing menstrual health products to school-aged students and bringing awareness to the issue of period poverty and the educational inequity it creates.