"Necessities of Life"

It has been reported that 64% of people who menstruate have struggled to afford sanitary products at some point in their lives. I find this statistic is extremely upsetting – sanitary products should be available to everyone no matter their financial status. This belief is what led me to include menstrual products as a part of my project, The Community Cupboard, based at the Boys and Girls Club in Venice, CA.

The Community Cupboard’s mission is to ensure that no family of the Boys and Girls Club goes without essentials. It’s bizarre to me how anyone could not consider menstrual products as essentials. Yet, in almost 30 states, menstrual products are still not considered “necessities of life” and are taxed as “luxury” items.

The Boys and Girls Club serves children and teens living in poverty. These kids and their families may struggle to readily afford menstrual products. Access to these products for free can make a huge impact on their lives. By including them at The Community Cupboard, I hope to alleviate some of the stress these individuals face, and promote equitable access to critical supplies.