CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A local nonprofit is seeking solutions for students in need of period products.
The Diaper Bank of North Carolina launched a pilot program this school year with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools to get period products into Title I schools, which are typically in high-poverty areas and where students are at risk of falling behind academically.
Talking about menstrual cycles and period products can be uncomfortable for some people, but the Diaper Bank is trying to change that.
"For a very long time, talking about periods was taboo," Michelle Schaefer, the founder and CEO of the Diaper Bank of North Carolina, said. "We even have some groups that will say, 'We'll collect those diapers, but we won't collect period products,' and whisper it as if it's a bad word."
Schaefer said having those conversations with schools is especially important.
"By and large, [schools] are open to understanding the need and helping us get the products into the school, but they also do not have the funds," Schaefer added.
The group's Period Power initiative is filling the gap in more than 400 schools statewide.
"One in four students miss school because they do not have the period products that they need every single month," Schaeffer said. "No one should have to choose between having their period and going to class."
At the Charlotte warehouse, manager Avery Payne packed up a variety of period products and "flow kits" into boxes for school representatives to collect. The group is sending shipments to two new CMS schools next week. They hope to get period products into every North Carolina school eventually.
The two schools participating in the pilot program are Thomasboro Academy and West Charlotte High School.
"It's really important that students have what they need so that they can stay in class and focus on what they need to focus on," Schaefer said.
A CMS spokesperson wrote to WCNC Charlotte the following statement:
"Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools is proud to partner with WellCare and the NC Diaper Bank to provide feminine hygiene products to students at both Thomasboro Academy and West Charlotte High School. School is about more than just education in the classroom – it’s where students are fed, cared for, encouraged, and supported. This initiative provides another layer of support to meet the needs of our community and students where they are."
The nonprofit accepts monetary donations on its website and also has an Amazon wish list for items like leggings and underwear in case girls need them at school.
Contact Julia Kauffman at jkauffman@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.