A local nonprofit is seeking help making sure teens have access to period supplies this summer.
Project Period launched in January 2017 with a goal of helping teens access vital menstruation supplies through partnerships with local schools.
The organization started with partnerships with a couple southeast side schools and greatly grew its presence across the city through a partnership with Teachers’ Treasures.
It will launch its first summer program this year in partnership with the Indianapolis Public Library, filling a need for students who lose access to school-based supports when summer break begins.
“A big gap in our offering has always been summer,” founder Angie Katinas said. “It’s a challenging time for low-income students … and we want to be a resource for these students during June and July as well.”
Project Period has set a goal of preparing 2,500 period packs to distribute through the library system this summer. Each pack will have at least 20 regular absorbency pads to help teens get through their periods.
Index card-sized vouchers will be placed in the teen sections of local library branches. Students can take these vouchers to their nearest circulation desk to discreetly redeem a period pack.
All 25 Indianapolis Public Library branches will participate. And, Project Period is looking for volunteers to help get ready for summer distributions.
The organization has three volunteer dates coming up to help pack supplies at their donated warehouse space in the Holy Cross neighborhood. Volunteer dates include:
- 10 a.m. to noon April 12
- 6-8 p.m. April 24
- 10 a.m. to noon June 7
Those interested in volunteering can register online for their preferred date. The complete address for volunteer packing will be given upon registration.
Can’t volunteer but still want to help out? Project Period also accepts monetary and supply donations on its website.
Mirror Indy reporter Carley Lanich covers early childhood and K-12 education. Contact her at carley.lanich@mirrorindy.org or follow her on X @carleylanich.
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