BRODHEAD —  One in four students struggle to afford period products in the United States. One out of every ten menstruating adolescents miss school due to lack of period products. Even though menstruation is a natural healthy biological process, studies have found that 44% of teens report stress and embarrassment due to the lack of period products. 

Period poverty has been associated with higher likelihood of symptoms consistent with moderate/severe depression.

In Wisconsin, period products are considered a non-essential luxury item and therefore not covered under governmental programs. Many people cannot afford menstrual health products to meet their monthly needs and this may impact their physical as well as mental health.

In Green County, Better Brodhead would like to address this health equity issue. Period Poverty Awareness week is a great time to start a donation drive.  Some organizations have come together to raise awareness, and collect and distribute period products to food pantries, libraries, and schools. 

When doing routine grocery shopping, consider purchasing a box of period products to be dropped off at one of the collection locations.

Currently, there are two drop off locations, and Better Brodhead is hoping to have more locations soon. Brodhead Memorial Public Library, Albertson Memorial Library in Albany, and the Belleville Public Library have donation bins to drop off period products.  

The members of the Colonel Benjamin Harrison Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution have agreed to help distribute the products to food pantries and schools.

For more information about this project or to get involved, contact Kathy Comeau at kathycomeau@gmail.com.