Support Emergency Grants for Period Supplies

U.S Congress

We, the undersigned organizations and activists, ask for your support of Congresswoman Grace Meng’s proposal to make menstrual hygiene products an allowable expense for Federal Emergency Management Agency grants

Before the COVID-19 outbreak, one in four menstruating individuals struggled to afford enough period products to keep themselves clean and healthy and many community-based period supply programs had to stretch limited resources to meet the need of the clients they serve. Without adequate access to menstrual supplies, menstruators may have to use products for longer or may be forced to use alternative materials such as paper towels or socks

For that reason, period supply programs need access to more menstrual products in order to continue providing for their communities in the weeks and months ahead. Making period supplies an allowable expense under the Federal Emergency Management Agency grants would alleviate some of pressure period supply programs are facing as they work to address the rapidly growing need.

Sponsored by
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Portland, OR

To: U.S Congress
From: [Your Name]

Dear President Trump, Senate Majority Leader McConnell, House Speaker Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Schumer, and House Minority Leader McCarthy:

We, the undersigned organizations and activists, ask for your support of Congresswoman Grace Meng’s proposal to provide $1 billion to fund Federal Emergency Management Agency grants and make menstrual hygiene products an allowable expense for those grants.

Before the COVID-19 outbreak, one in four menstruating individuals struggled to afford enough period products to keep themselves clean and healthy and many community-based period supply programs had to stretch limited resources to meet the need of the clients they serve. Without adequate access to menstrual supplies, menstruators may have to use products for longer or may be forced to use alternative materials such as paper towels or socks. Both of these options are unsafe and leave individuals at a higher risk of infection, toxic shock syndrome, and other ailments that would require medical attention. Our healthcare system is already under a lot of pressure from the current COVID-19 outbreak and we must take preventative measures to avoid unnecessary emergency room visits.

Due to the stricter quarantining and social distancing measures being implemented across the country, many individuals are buying groceries in bulk which has caused shortages of menstrual supplies on store shelves. Because of this, we are seeing an increase in the number of individuals struggling to secure enough period supplies. Period supply programs are adapting rapidly to respond to the increased need in their communities. They are coordinating distribution with COVID-19 testing sites, distributing products at school lunch pick-ups, and doubling up on the number of products given to each individual.

While the response has been swift and innovative, it is not sustainable. Many programs have stopped accepting in-person donations due to concern of contamination and are now purchasing all of their products. Period supply programs need access to more menstrual products in order to continue providing for their communities in the weeks and months ahead. Making period supplies an allowable expense under the Federal Emergency Management Agency grants would alleviate some of pressure period supply programs are facing as they work to address the rapidly growing need.