Access to period supplies is an issue that affects millions of menstruating people globally every day. When looking locally, a recent study by The Flow Initiative found that approximately 30% of students in Hudson County struggle to access items such as pads, tampons, sanitary wipes, liners, and more each month. The American Medical Women’s Association defines this hardship under the term ‘period poverty.’ In understanding the need for awareness and resources in this space, we have partnered with The Flow Initiative to create Project Local Access, a drive for period supplies to distribute to those in need and the community at large.
After successful drives in 2021 + 2020 — that collected over 60,000 supplies collectively — we are proud to announce that The Hoboken Girl and The Flow Initiative have collected over 30,000 supplies!
To make this happen, women-owned local businesses throughout Hudson County came together to be drop-off spots for period supplies and the local community showed up in droves to donate. We could not be more grateful. Thank you for your support in this project. Read on for more about how the period product drive helps the local community, helps those in need, and raises awareness for period poverty in Hudson County.
Project Local Access
Donating period supplies can help change the month and even the school year of menstruating students in Hudson County.
Thank You To The Following Drop-off Locations
Little City Books | 100 Bloomfield Street, Hoboken
Mint Market | 303 1st Street, Hoboken
Mint Market | 339 Grove Street, Jersey City
JaneDo | 720 Monroe Street, Hoboken
Hudson Family Chiropractic PT + Acupuncture | 1317 Willow Avenue, Hoboken
The Need in the Community
Too often period poverty is discussed as a global issue with the idea that menstruating bodies in underdeveloped countries face a lack of access to supplies more often than in the U.S. While the global numbers are high, 20% of menstruating students in this country are forced to miss school or experience an accident during the day.
Hudson County is home to some of the highest numbers of students facing period poverty in the country. This not only affects overall menstrual hygiene, but can lead to poor education outcomes, missed work, and mental health issues.
Founder of The Flow Initiative, Eiko La Boria, shared that students who have benefitted from previous drives have said that school is much easier, and they feel more confident when access to supplies is not a worry. In 2021, our partnership was able to donate over 5,000-period supplies to menstruating persons throughout the county. We hope to exceed that number this year.
“With menstrual health products rising in costs nationwide, it’s imperative to raise awareness of period poverty and we are so proud to work with The Hoboken Girl. For the last three years, the team has been instrumental in helping us reach women, girls and all who menstruate,” said Sabrina Browne, Partner, The Flow Initiative. “This month, we just surpassed 750,000 product donations at The Flow Initiative and that milestone would not have been possible without the annual period poverty drive.”
On The Flow Initiative
The stats surrounding period poverty and access to supplies were striking to Jersey City resident Eiko La Boria prompting her into action and to found The Flow Initiative.
Just in Jersey City, 90% of menstruating bodies have a need for supplies while in school, 76% have had an accident, and 20% have missed school completely. Upon learning this, Eiko made it her mission to get these products in the hands of those in need while also erasing the stigma and shame often associated with periods.
Over the years, she has advocated for menstrual equity in the city and county at large while creating an access plan to start getting period product dispensaries and opening emergency period product distribution centers throughout the city. Her work is necessary for the community, and she hopes to take this mission nationwide.
“I am so grateful for the support, generosity and elevation of our mission that Jen, Jordan, Joelle, the entire Hoboken Girl Team, participating businesses and the great people of Hoboken and Jersey City have bestowed on The Flow Initiative,” Eiko said. “Without question this menstrual product drive, now in its third year, has raised awareness, mobilized the movement to end period poverty and created a call to action that has echoed all the way down to Trenton and across the country.”
Giving Back + Raising Awareness
With the growing success of our annual period product drive, we’ll be back next year to raise more awareness and with an even loftier goal. Together, we can end the stigma of periods and work towards equity.
