PERIOD @ Hinsdale takes action to put an end to period poverty

Courtesy of Shriya Mehta

Roughly 1,625 feminine hygeine products were packaged after the group’s first “packaging party” on Aug. 9.

PERIOD is a national nonprofit organization that opened a Hinsdale chapter in June. This organization’s mission is end to period poverty and fight for change in providing menstrual equality. PERIOD has distributed over 15 million mentstrual products to those in need since its founding in 2014 by 16-year-old Nadya Okamato. PERIOD has more than 700 chapters worldwide, all of which strive to bring the PERIOD mission to life in a myriad of local communities.

The PERIOD Hinsdale chapter was founded by junior Shriya Mehta, who is now the leader of PERIOD @ Hinsdale. When quarantine began due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Mehta researched more about the PERIOD organization in her free time and decided that Hinsdale would be a great place to start a chapter. 

“Being home all day during the summer due to COVID-19 really allowed me to reflect on how fortunate my life is,” Mehta said. “Being able to afford and have access to feminine hygiene products is something most people in our community take for granted.” 

Members of PERIOD @ Hinsdale organization work together to package menstrual products that will eventually be donated to local shelters. (Courtesy of Shriya Mehta)

PERIOD @ Hinsdale’s first meeting occurred on Saturday, July 18 at Robbins Park. At this meeting, they educated members about their step-by-step plan to fight period poverty. PERIOD @ Hinsdale also created a GoFundMe account in order to purchase and package menstrual products to donate. So far, they have raised more than $1,500.

Following their first meeting, they hosted a “packaging party” on Sunday, Aug. 9. Members made individual care packages filled with feminine hygiene products to donate to local shelters and pantries. They packaged 1,625 products in one day.

“PERIOD has given me a chance to connect with others passionate about the cause and come together to do something about period poverty,” said Quinn Drescher, club member and junior.

PERIOD @ Hinsdale is a chapter of the PERIOD organization that strives to put an end to period poverty and donate menstrual products to those in need. (Courtesy of PERIOD @ Hinsdale)

Due to the recent outbreak of COVID-19, PERIOD @ Hinsdale hasn’t had the opportunity to host community events to raise awareness regarding period poverty and their mission. In the future, they hope to host these community events as well as to take action in a different  direction by writing to legislators to end the Tampon Tax.

“I’m glad people in our community are taking action on such an important issue for females,” said Audrey Giltner, senior. “It’s astonishing how expensive period products are, as females have to pay hundreds of dollars a year just to take care of a natural occurrence in their bodies.” 

PERIOD @ Hinsdale currently has around 20 members, but is looking to increase this number as much as possible. People of any age are welcome to attend their monthly meetings and can find more information on their Instagram page @period.hinsdale. 

To sign up for their Remind account, text @periodhin to 81010.