Abstract
Background:
Period products like pads, tampons, and a variety of disposable and reusable hygiene supplies constitute just one facet essential for effectively managing menstruation in a way that allows an individual to feel comfortable carrying out their daily routine. Given the absence of comprehensive public policies ensuring access to period products for economically disadvantaged menstruating individuals, community-based basic needs banks, particularly period supply banks, were established to alleviate the challenges faced by those experiencing period product insecurity. These initiatives specifically aim to furnish essential menstrual products to individuals in need.
Objectives:
This study aimed to assess any organizational benefits experienced by community-based organizations distributing period products on behalf of period supply banks.
Design:
This cross-sectional study is a formative evaluation of the distribution of free period products by period supply banks, which provide access to essential menstrual hygiene products for individuals in need through partnership with community-based partner agencies.
Methods:
Staff members at agencies distributing period products were invited to complete an anonymous web-based survey at two different time points about their agency’s experiences distributing free period products. All participants provided informed consent via the web-based survey.
Results:
Agency staff reported that since they started providing period products, clients were more likely to: start a conversation about other needs (66.7%), extend the length of their relationship with the agency (60.0%), keep scheduled appointments (62.1%), ask for assistance with another need (75.0%), communicate between visits (42.4%), participate in other agency programming (55.9%), and seek other agency services (73.5%). Due to a shortage of period products, 41% of agencies have had to turn away clients needing period supplies.
Conclusion:
Period supply banks, in collaboration with community-based partner agencies, enhance access to both menstrual products and the associated support, fostering engagement with diverse resources and opportunities among recipients. However, addressing unmet needs necessitates policies and additional funding to ensure universal access to essential hygiene supplies for everyone to thrive and actively participate in society.
Keywords: basic needs banks, menstrual equity, menstruation management, period product insecurity, period supply banks
Plain language summary
Positive benefits for agencies giving away free period products from a period supply bank in the United States
Why we did this study: In the United States, many people with periods cannot afford to buy period supplies when needed. When people do not have enough period products, they may have to stay home from places they want to go, like work, school, or community spaces. Period supply banks want to help ensure everyone has period supplies, so that, they take in donations and buy more supplies. Then, period supply banks partner with other agencies that give period supplies for free to individuals experiencing need.
What we wanted to learn: We wanted to know if the agencies that give away free period products through partnerships with period supply banks have any benefits from doing so.
What we did: We asked people who work at an agency that gives away free period products received through a partnership with a period supply bank to take an online survey at two different times, when the agency began the collaboration with the period supply bank and after distributing period supplies for several months. Only people who wanted to be in the study did the survey.
What we learned: Agencies who give away free period products benefit because clients are more likely to talk to them about other needs they have, enroll in a program or receive another resource from the agency, miss fewer appointments, and stay in an agency program longer. Sometimes, agencies do not have enough products for everyone who needs period supplies. More funding and policies are needed to help period supply banks buy enough period products for everyone who needs them.
Introduction
It is estimated that 16,900,000 menstruating people in the United States live in poverty. 1 Without access to period products, individuals are at risk of adverse health and emotional consequences.2 –8 Furthermore, individuals may be absent from places like work or school.6,7,9 –13 Managing a period effectively involves more than just period products like pads, tampons, and disposable or reusable hygiene supplies; it also requires access to amenities, such as safe and private restrooms, over-the-counter pain medication, appropriate clothing like pants and underwear, and clean water for bathing. Individuals facing period product insecurity may encounter challenges in accessing these essential elements for maintaining comfort and carrying out daily routines during menstruation.2,3,9
Current public policies in the United States inadequately address the basic need for hygiene products, including those related to menstruation.14,15 Given the lack of policies to provide access to period products for all menstruating individuals who cannot afford them, community-based basic needs banks, including period supply banks, were formed in a grassroots effort to help those experiencing period product insecurity. Without nonprofit organizations working to address period product insecurity, those waiting on government support for help with period products would have few options. However, the number of people experiencing period product insecurity in the United States is undoubtedly more significant than the number of people that period supply banks could serve without widespread policy support and sustainable funding.
Period supply banks
Period supply banks work to increase access to period products, making hygiene essentials freely available in local communities. These community-based organizations work to procure donations of disposable and reusable period supplies and related items that individuals may need to manage a period comfortably, such as over-the-counter pain medications, clothing items, including underwear and pants, and wipes. 16 Products or funding to purchase them may be acquired via community period product donation drives, grants, and donations from individuals or private foundations. Some period supply banks may receive government grants or funds to provide products in specific settings. Period supply banks specialize in numerous critical operations, such as storage management, inventory control, coordinating volunteers, acquiring products, organizing delivery transportation, and additional logistical tasks. 16 Moreover, they often participate in advocacy, increasing awareness, shaping policies, and educational endeavors.
Period supply banks generally follow two models of period product distribution to community members in need. Some period supply banks distribute items directly to recipients, often providing other resources simultaneously. Following the second model, many period supply banks do not serve individuals directly. Instead, the period supply banks partner with existing community-based organizations that serve as “partner agencies.” Period supply banks provide the period products and related supplies to the partner agencies, who distribute the items for free to their clients. With this model, the period supply banks can focus on product procurement and logistics, tasks that often fall outside the scope of partner agencies’ funding restrictions, expertise, and available time. 17 In contrast, the partner agency, a trusted community resource, prioritizes cultivating strong client relationships and addressing unmet needs beyond providing period supplies. This includes offering essential services, such as counseling, educational programs, assistance securing housing or employment opportunities, and comprehensive support to individuals beyond their immediate menstrual hygiene needs.
Partner agencies of period supply banks
Period supply banks collaborate with various entities to serve as partner agencies within communities, encompassing schools, shelters, health care providers, informal educators, family support agencies, food pantries, and more. The nature of the population served by each partner agency plays a crucial role in determining the type of period products distributed and how they are accessed. For instance, a family support agency might combine multiple period products with essential household items like diapers and adult incontinence supplies. At the same time, a school may opt to install period product dispensers in bathrooms. Through these partnerships, period supply banks ensure access to period products and encourage individuals in need to avail themselves of the diverse resources and support the partner agencies offer.
Literature on the outcomes experienced by both recipients of free diapers and the community-based organizations who distributed them in partnership with a diaper bank suggests a range of positive benefits may also exist for both the individuals who access free period products and the community-based organizations who partner with period supply banks to distribute them.17,18 The existing literature does not sufficiently address whether these benefits exist. This current study, which constitutes a formative evaluation of the distribution of free period products by period supply banks affiliated with the Alliance for Period Supplies network, aims to identify any benefits experienced by the community-based organizations distributing period products on behalf of period supply banks.
Methods
The Alliance for Period Supplies
A program of the nonprofit National Diaper Bank Network, the Alliance for Period Supplies provides leadership and resources for member-period supply banks, all working toward a collective goal of ending period product insecurity in the United States (Figure 1). Period supply banks can function independently, focusing on enhancing local access to period supplies or as components within larger basic needs banks aiming to improve access to a broader range of essential items. The Alliance for Period Supplies network comprises 140 member-period supply banks, spanning 40 states and Washington, DC, dedicated to serving communities.
Figure 1.
Distribution of period supplies via period supply banks and partner agencies.
Study design
This cross-sectional research was carried out as part of the formative evaluation of the Alliance for Period Supplies program. While other evaluation initiatives concentrated on the experiences of individuals receiving period products, the current observational study specifically examines the involvement of partner agencies in the distribution of free period products to clients on behalf of an Alliance for Period Supplies period supply bank. The design of the multiple choice survey was informed by the first author’s previously published research on the partner agencies of diaper banks and by the co-authors’ expertise on period supply banks. 17
Eligibility and recruitment
Participants were eligible to join the study if they worked at the partner agency of a period supply bank in a role responsible for distributing period supplies. Other eligibility criteria included age 18 or older and the ability to complete the survey online in English. There were no exclusion criteria.
A web-based survey link was shared with period supply banks in the network who chose to participate in the evaluation. Period supply bank staff were requested to share the survey invitation email with their contacts at partner agencies involved in distributing period products through their collaboration. The invitation email allowed individuals employed at the partner agencies, specifically the primary contact responsible for distributing free period supplies to clients, to participate in the survey. Upon clicking the survey link, the participant was presented with a study information sheet, an option for opting in or out of survey completion, and then the survey itself.
Data collection
Data collection occurred in two phases: baseline and follow-up.
Baseline survey
Although some period supply banks existed before founding the Alliance for Period Supplies network, the baseline study phase coincided with the network’s launch in 2018. The phase lasted from August 2018 to April 2019. Twelve period supply banks with 92 partner agencies invited their partner agencies to complete the survey about their experiences and perceptions. Completed surveys were returned from 64 staff members who work at a partner agency of a period supply bank, representing 70% of the partner agencies.
Follow-up survey
A year after initiating the baseline study phase, the follow-up study phase commenced, mirroring the recruitment and survey completion procedures outlined for the baseline survey. Eleven period supply banks with 80 partner agencies invited their partner agencies to participate. Staff members (n = 39) at partner agencies completed surveys between September 2019 and September 2020, representing 49% of the partner agencies. Notably, the follow-up phase coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, which constrained participation.
Data analysis
Participants could skip any survey question. To account for missing data, the denominator used to calculate the percentage of each categorical variable reflects the total responses to each question. Analysis of survey responses from the baseline phase guided the development of the follow-up phase survey. We subsequently computed the frequency and percentage of categorical variables collected at both time points—surveys completed in both phases—maintained anonymity, precluding repeated measures analyses. Although probable, whether some participants engaged in both study phases remains uncertain. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines were consulted during manuscript preparation.
Results
Partner agencies of period supply banks
Staff members responsible for distributing free period products to clients as part of their work at a partner agency of an Alliance for Period Supplies network member-period supply bank completed surveys about their experiences and organizational practices. Staff members (n = 64) identified as female (95.3%; n = 61) and male (4.7%; n = 3).
Clients were offered free period products and a range of additional supports, with many partner agencies providing diverse resources or programs (Table 1). The target audience for the resources or programming provided by the partner agencies of period supply banks included children (ages 12 and younger) (50.0%; n = 32), teenagers (ages 13–17) (87.5%; n = 56), and adults (ages 18 and older) (100%; n = 64).
Table 1.
Supports offered to period product recipients by partner agencies of period supply banks.
| Baseline experiences | Follow-up experiences | |
|---|---|---|
| Period supply bank partner agency staff members (n = 64) | Period supply bank partner agency staff members (n = 39) | |
| Which types of services do you provide your clients? (check all that apply) | ||
| Education | ||
| Parenting education | 59% (n = 38) | 31% (n = 12) |
| Early childhood education | 39% (n = 25) | 10% (n = 4) |
| Financial literacy | 17% (n = 11) | 15% (n = 6) |
| K-12 school | 16% (n = 10) | 13% (n = 5) |
| Formal education (e.g. GED classes, job skills training) | 3% (n = 2) | 8% (n = 3) |
| Basic needs | ||
| Transportation | 25% (n = 16) | 10% (n = 4) |
| Mental health services | 23% (n = 15) | 15% (n = 6) |
| Housing | 17% (n = 11) | 10% (n = 4) |
| Substance abuse support | 16% (n = 10) | 10% (n = 4) |
| Health care | 11% (n = 7) | 13% (n = 5) |
| Essential supplies apart from period products | 56% (n = 36) | 69% (n = 27) |
| Family supports | ||
| Parenting resources | 69% (n = 44) | 38% (n = 15) |
| Connection to government programs | 61% (n = 39) | 31% (n = 12) |
| Advocacy | 48% (n = 31) | 49% (n = 19) |
| Childcare | 11% (n = 7) | 8% (n = 3) |
| Domestic violence support | 6% (n = 4) | 13% (n = 5) |
| Connection to other community resources | 81% (n = 52) | 62% (n = 24) |
Period product distribution before period supply bank partnership
Before receiving free period products through a partnership with an Alliance for Period Supplies period supply bank, approximately 46.9% of partner agencies already provided period products to their clients (n = 30/64). Among these organizations that distributed products (n = 29), the frequency varied, occurring once a year (6.9%; n = 2/29), a few times a year (44.8%; n = 13/29), or monthly (48.3%; n = 14/29). Distribution patterns were inconsistent and contingent on product donations or available funding. Most partner agencies distributed period products when donated to the agency (83.3%; n = 25/30). Many agencies could utilize program funds to purchase products (60.0%; n = 18/30), while some provided products when they had monetary donations (36.7%; n = 11/30) or when staff purchased them with personal funds (20.0%; n = 6/30).
For the remaining partner agencies that initiated period product distribution upon a formal partnership with an Alliance for Period Supplies supply bank (53.1%; n = 34/64), they cited various reasons for their previous inability to distribute products. Over half had never received donations of period products before partnering with a period supply bank (58.8%; n = 20/34), while others reported budget constraints at the organizational (55.9%; n = 19/34) or program level (41.2%; n = 14/34). Some agencies faced restrictions on program funding for purchasing material goods (20.6%; n = 7/34), and a few found the logistics of obtaining and providing period products complex (8.8%; n = 3/34). In addition, some agencies mentioned that clients had never requested period products before they became available through their partnership with a period supply bank (29.4%; n = 10/34).
Partner agency staff members’ perceptions of clients’ needs
Concerning the perceptions of partner agency staff members regarding clients’ needs, before distributing free period products, a significant proportion reported that clients had approached them seeking period products for themselves (89.1%; n = 57/64) and/or their children (50%; n = 32/64). Almost all staff members noted that clients faced difficulty obtaining period products when needed (98.4%; n = 63/64). Staff members suspected that fear or embarrassment prevented clients from asking for products (78.1%; n = 50/64), and a substantial portion believed that clients did not ask due to uncertainty about whom to approach within the agency (70.3%; n = 45/64).
At baseline, 31.5% of agency staff members (n = 20/64) believed that their clients missed work, school, or other commitments monthly due to a lack of period products. In contrast, 68.5% of staff members did not observe or were unaware of this occurrence (n = 44/64). One year after becoming a period supply bank partner agency, 59.5% of staff members (n = 22/37) did not think their clients missed essential activities due to insufficient access to period products.
Distributing period products
At baseline, all agency staff members felt that providing period products for their clients was a priority for their organization (Table 2). Clients requested various period products, with pads and tampons requested most often. Some partner agencies reported at baseline that they could distribute enough period products to meet clients’ needs (19.0%; n = 12/64). The remaining organizations provided a supplemental or partial supply of the products needed. Of the agency staff members providing a supplemental supply, many (62.7%; n = 32/51) reported having discussions with their clients to help them figure out how they would obtain the additional period products they needed.
Table 2.
Partner agency prioritization of distributing period supplies and specific products requested.
| Baseline experiences | Follow-up experiences | |
|---|---|---|
| Period supply bank partner agency staff members (n = 64) | Period supply bank partner agency staff members (n = 39) | |
| Is providing period products a priority for your organization? | ||
| High or essential priority | 35.9% (n = 23) | 51.3% (n = 20) |
| Somewhat or moderate priority | 50% (n = 32) | 43.6% (n = 17) |
| Low priority | 14.1% (n = 9) | 2.6% (n = 1) |
| No priority | 0% (n = 0) | 2.6% (n = 1) |
| Period products requested by clients: (check all that apply) | ||
| Pads | 87.3% (n = 55) | 94.9% (n = 37) |
| Panty liners | 46.0% (n = 29) | 53.8% (n = 21) |
| Period underwear | 4.8% (n = 3) | 5.1% (n = 2) |
| Menstrual cups | 1.6% (n = 1) | 5.1% (n = 2) |
| Menstrual sponge | 0% (n = 0) | 5.1% (n = 2) |
| Reusable menstrual cloth | 0% (n = 0) | 5.1% (n = 2) |
| Tampons | 46.0% (n = 29) | 56.4% (n = 22) |
| Any period product available | 27.0% (n = 17) | 43.6% (n = 17) |
When staff members completed a survey during the follow-up phase, their agencies had been distributing period supplies from a period supply bank for 3–72 months, with an average time of 18.8 months. After becoming a partner agency of a period supply bank, more than two-thirds of staff members reported that they could provide all of the period products a client needed for a month (69.2%, n = 27/39). All but two agencies providing a supplemental supply of period products reported conversing with clients about how they would meet the rest of their period product needs (83.3%, n = 10/12). Staff members said that over the past year, a typical client received period products from their agency monthly (65.8%, n = 25/38) or every few months (34.2%, n = 13/38). While most partner agencies reported that they could provide period products to all clients who requested them (59.0%, n = 23/39), many partner agencies said they had to turn clients away because they did not have enough period products to meet all the requests (41.0%, n = 16/39).
Partner agency staff members reported various ways they thought their clients learned that free period products were available from their agency. In many cases, the staff at partner agencies shared the information with clients (73.7%, n = 28/38). The partner agencies’ social media posts (26.3%, n = 10/38) and websites (10.5%, n = 4/38) also shared the information. The period supply banks providing the products to partner agencies also advertised the free products via their staff (28.9%, n = 11/38), social media posts (23.7%, n = 10/38), and websites (2.6%, n = 1/38). Other community resources also shared the information, including health care providers (13.2%, n = 5/38), other social service agencies in the community (21.1%, n = 5/38), and the 211 phone line for community resource information (7.9%, n = 3/38). Word of mouth was another way that people learned about the availability of free period products when the information was shared by friends (44.7%, n = 17/38), family members (28.9%, n = 11/38), and neighbors (18.4%, n = 7/38).
Outcomes experienced by partner agencies
Partner agency staff members reported that their organizations experienced several positive benefits from distributing free period products in partnership with their local period supply bank. Many of these outcomes were related to client engagement, documenting how clients were more likely to engage with partner agencies since they began receiving free period products from the agency (Table 3). Staff members indicated that clients exhibited greater commitment by adhering to scheduled appointments, maintaining communication between visits, and sustaining prolonged engagement with the agency. Most partner agencies (68.4%, n = 26/38) also reported that distributing free period products from their local period supply bank afforded their organization a financial benefit. The remaining partner agencies said the partnership had no impact on their agency’s budget (31.6%, n = 12/38). Among those reporting a financial benefit (n = 26), partner agencies reported that with the funds saved in their budget since they began partnering with their local period supply bank, they could now provide another service to clients (26.9%, n = 7/26), serve more clients (65.4%, n = 17/26), or provide additional material goods to clients other than period products (57.7%, n = 15/26).
Table 3.
Client engagement outcomes experienced by partner agencies of period supply banks.
| Since you started providing period products to clients, how likely are clients to do the following? | More likely | About the same | Less likely |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start a conversation with you or your agency about other needs they might have? | 66.7% (n = 24) | 33.3% (n = 12) | 0.0% (n = 0) |
| Extend the length of their relationship with you, beyond the average length of your relationship with a client? | 60.0% (n = 21) | 34.3% (n = 12) | 5.7% (n = 2) |
| Keep scheduled appointments with you / your agency? | 62.1% (n = 18) | 37.9% (n = 11) | 0.0% (n = 0) |
| Ask for assistance with other needs they may have? | 75.0% (n = 27) | 25.0% (n = 9) | 0.0% (n = 0) |
| Communicate with you / your agency between visits or appointments? | 42.4% (n = 14) | 51.5% (n = 17) | 6.1% (n = 2) |
| Participate in other programs provided by your agency? | 55.9% (n = 19) | 44.1% (n = 15) | 0.0% (n = 0) |
| Seek other services provided by your agency? | 73.5% (n = 25) | 26.5% (n = 9) | 0.0% (n = 0) |
Discussion
Through the provision of period products to partner agencies, period supply banks play a crucial role in facilitating community members’ access to additional resources, support services, and essential goods offered by the partner agency alongside free period supplies. Effectively functioning as intermediaries, period products catalyze the utilization of various supports to foster individual well-being and realize their full potential. The findings from our study underscore that the distribution of free period products by local period supply banks significantly contributes to enhanced client engagement. Notably, clients, prompted by the availability of period supplies, are more inclined to initiate conversations or seek assistance for other needs. Consequently, this heightened engagement translates into increased participation in various programs and utilization of the partner agency’s additional services.
Moreover, the impact extends beyond initiating services, as providing free period products positively influences program retention. This aligns with analogous positive outcomes in distributing other hygiene products through community-based organizations. 17 In essence, the distribution of period products addresses a fundamental need and catalyzes broader engagement and sustained involvement with support services. This interconnected approach reflects the integral role of period supply banks in fostering holistic well-being within their communities. The value of the programming, resources, and services clients received from visiting a partner agency to access free period products is much greater than the monetary value of the period supplies alone.
Partner organizations indicated that a significant portion of their populations served only accessed period products intermittently, with one-third opting for access every few months rather than monthly. This underscores that the support extended by period supply banks and affiliated agencies represents merely one facet of how recipients meet their menstrual product needs. It is even more critical that free period products are available to people who need them as part of a stopgap to ensure people have the necessary hygiene items to fully participate in society and be present in all the spaces they want.
The fact that many agencies already distributed period products before partnering with a period supply bank highlights the pre-existing efforts to address this issue. However, the inconsistent distribution patterns before forming these partnerships and reliance on donations or available funding indicate that many agencies faced challenges maintaining a reliable supply of period products. This highlights the need for sustainable solutions and resources to ensure consistent access. Without comprehensive policies to alleviate period product insecurity across all affected populations, period supply banks emerge as vital community-based safety nets. These banks, integral components of basic needs infrastructure, operate primarily on the foundation of donations and philanthropic contributions. 15 Period product insecurity, a pervasive issue affecting diverse demographics, underscores the need for more in existing policy frameworks to systematically address the menstrual hygiene needs of individuals facing economic hardships. Amid this policy gap, period supply banks are critical in filling the void by providing a localized and responsive safety net. By directly engaging with communities and leveraging donated resources, these banks contribute to bridging the systemic deficiencies in meeting the menstrual health requirements of marginalized individuals. The reliance on donations and philanthropy underscores the grassroots nature of the support network provided by period supply banks. Without sustained and substantial policy interventions, these banks depend on the generosity of individuals, organizations, and foundations committed to addressing the challenges of period product insecurity. This dynamic exemplifies the community-driven response to a prevalent and underserved issue, where the collective efforts of donors form the backbone of initiatives to ensure equitable access to menstrual hygiene products. In essence, the pivotal role-played by period supply banks unveils the resilience of community-based solutions in the face of policy gaps, highlighting the significance of sustained philanthropy to foster inclusivity and dignity in addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by period product insecurity.
Addressing period product insecurity, a public health concern that profoundly impacts school attendance, workplace absenteeism, community participation, mental health, and households’ abilities to meet their basic needs,2,4,5,9 –12 should not be a burden solely shouldered by under-resourced public charities. In our research, a concerning revelation emerged as two of five partner agencies associated with period supply banks reported the regrettable necessity of turning away prospective clients seeking period products. This unfortunate circumstance was attributed to the insufficient availability of period products, underscoring the challenges faced even within established partnerships with the Alliance for Period Supplies network supply banks.
Despite these collaborative efforts, a substantial gap exists in meeting the overwhelming demand for period products. This glaring discrepancy accentuates the critical and immediate requirement for sustainable government solutions and resources. The call for governmental intervention extends beyond merely recognizing the issue; it underscores the imperative need for comprehensive and enduring strategies that ensure consistent and reliable access to period products for individuals seeking them. Such interventions are crucial to bridge the existing gaps, promote equity, and provide long-term solutions to combat period product insecurity on a societal scale effectively.
Partner agency staff members’ perceptions of need provide valuable insights into the clients’ experiences and barriers to accessing period products. The reported fear, embarrassment, and uncertainty about whom to ask within the agency indicate the stigma and shame associated with discussing period needs. At baseline, partner agency staff reported that clients never requested reusable menstrual cloths or sponges. During the follow-up phase, a few staff members said they had received requests for these items. This may suggest that clients felt comfortable asking for their preferred products, possibly because they had learned that such items were available or had built trust with staff members. These findings underscore the importance of destigmatizing menstruation and creating a supportive and welcoming environment for individuals seeking period products. The demographics of the partner agency staff members involved in the distribution of period products point to the gendered nature of this issue, with most staff members being female. This underscores the role of gender in both the experience of period product insecurity and its potential solutions. It is noteworthy that partner agencies provided a range of resources beyond period products, addressing not only the immediate needs of their clients but also contributing to broader aspects of well-being, such as education and family support, which benefit not only the client receiving supplies but other household members as well.
Strengths and limitations
Notably, our study sheds light on existing efforts by period supply banks and their partner agencies to distribute period products, documenting the positive outcomes in client engagement facilitated by these partnerships. However, our findings also highlight challenges, such as ensuring period supply banks have enough donations and available funding to procure enough period products for partner agencies to serve all clients needing period supplies. The findings of this study provide a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and implications of addressing period product insecurity. The gendered aspects, the role of partner agencies, and staff members’ experiences contribute to a deeper comprehension of the issue. These insights inform policy and program development to increase access to period products and address period product insecurity’s broader social and psychological aspects. Although our survey design was informed by previously published research, 17 it has not been validated nor pilot-tested before our use.
This study documented the outcomes and benefits of distributing free period products as experienced and perceived by the staff at organizations distributing the items. Additional opportunities are needed to understand how period product recipients perceive any benefits of free period supplies. Research is required to document existing efforts to address period product insecurity with policies as a starting point for advocating for enhanced policies to increase access to period products for more people who need them.
Conclusion
This study provides a nuanced examination of the pivotal role of period supply banks in alleviating the multifaceted challenges associated with period product insecurity in the United States. Despite extant public policy programs ostensibly designed to address the needs of impoverished individuals, the deficiencies in these policies, particularly concerning the provision of menstrual hygiene products, persist. This study underscores the broader spectrum of challenges confronting individuals with period product insecurity, extending beyond providing such products to encompass access to essential amenities required for managing menstruation effectively.
Supplemental Material
Supplemental material, sj-docx-1-whe-10.1177_17455057241259731 for Enhancing client engagement and alleviating period product insecurity: A cross-sectional study of community-based period supply banks’ distribution of free period products through intermediary partner agencies in the United States by Kelley EC Massengale, Lynn H Comer, Kelsey M Bowman and Susan Van Ness in Women’s Health
Supplemental material, sj-docx-2-whe-10.1177_17455057241259731 for Enhancing client engagement and alleviating period product insecurity: A cross-sectional study of community-based period supply banks’ distribution of free period products through intermediary partner agencies in the United States by Kelley EC Massengale, Lynn H Comer, Kelsey M Bowman and Susan Van Ness in Women’s Health
Acknowledgments
The authors appreciate the Alliance for Period Supplies member-period supply banks and their partner agencies for sharing their experiences and participating in this evaluation. The authors thank Dr Megan V Smith for reviewing and providing feedback on our draft surveys.
Footnotes
ORCID iDs: Kelley EC Massengale 
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2868-2472
Lynn H Comer
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2210-9808
Kelsey M Bowman
https://orcid.org/0009-0008-3687-5331
Susan Van Ness
https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1376-7891
Supplemental material: Supplemental material for this article is available online.
Declarations
Ethics approval and consent to participate: The Yale University Institutional Review Board’s (IRB) Human Subjects Committee reviewed the study via an expedited review. A waiver of written informed consent was provided by the IRB, Protocol #2000023459. All participants provided informed consent via a web-based survey before participation.
Consent for publication: Not applicable.
Author contribution(s): Kelley EC Massengale: Conceptualization; Formal analysis; Methodology; Writing – original draft.
Lynn H Comer: Conceptualization; Data curation; Methodology; Project administration; Writing – review and editing.
Kelsey M Bowman: Formal analysis; writing – original draft.
Susan Van Ness: Conceptualization; Project administration; Writing – review and editing.
Funding: The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
Availability of data and materials: The raw data are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
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Supplementary Materials
Supplemental material, sj-docx-1-whe-10.1177_17455057241259731 for Enhancing client engagement and alleviating period product insecurity: A cross-sectional study of community-based period supply banks’ distribution of free period products through intermediary partner agencies in the United States by Kelley EC Massengale, Lynn H Comer, Kelsey M Bowman and Susan Van Ness in Women’s Health
Supplemental material, sj-docx-2-whe-10.1177_17455057241259731 for Enhancing client engagement and alleviating period product insecurity: A cross-sectional study of community-based period supply banks’ distribution of free period products through intermediary partner agencies in the United States by Kelley EC Massengale, Lynn H Comer, Kelsey M Bowman and Susan Van Ness in Women’s Health