A Tampa resident is bringing free menstrual hygiene products to the community with their brand-new Tampa Period Pantry. Similar in concept to Little Free Libraries, but instead of books you’ll find tampons, pads, and reusable menstrual cups. The first pantry will be located at 4220 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33603 outside of Disco Dolls Studio, a salon and boutique. It will be installed later this week.
Who’s behind the Tampa Period Pantry
Bree Wallace has always operated with a passion for helping people. She currently works as the Director of Case Management at Tampa Bay Abortion Fund and has worked in reproductive rights for over three years. With help from her partner who built the first pantry, Wallace is starting this operation by herself but hopes to have volunteers who can help with it in the future.
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After the first pantry is installed, she hopes to get multiple pantries up throughout the Tampa and St. Petersburg area. She’s looking into other businesses and organizations that would allow the pantries on their property. Additionally, she hopes to work with shelters and other groups to make sure that everyone has proper menstrual hygiene products.
How you can help the Tampa Period Pantry
- Follow them on Instagram @Tampaperiodpantry
- Spread the word
- Donate period products from their Amazon wishlist
- Have another way you’d like to donate? Reach out to them via Instagram or email them at tampaperiodpantry@gmail.com
Why this is important
In her day job, Wallace encounters a lot of people in our community who struggle to afford menstrual hygiene products. She wants to create a safe space for people to grab whatever they need. People who can’t afford these products often have to resort to using “homemade” items like rags, newspapers, and even toilet paper.
“This is something no one should have to go through just because they are unable to buy these expensive products,” Wallace said in an interview with That’s So Tampa.
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People with periods will spend around $18,000 on menstrual hygiene products during their lifetime. That figure doesn’t account for pain medicine, heating pads, and other supplies needed to help make you comfortable during your period. An article from Harvard Medical School discussing period poverty explains that nearly 22 million women living in poverty in the US cannot afford menstrual hygiene products. Though menstruating is a normal and basic part of human existence and these products are necessities, they aren’t covered by food stamps and WIC programs.
“There is just a stigma around periods and I’m hoping creating the pantry and getting the word out will help a lot of people feel more comfortable to talk about periods and period poverty.” – Bree Wallace
Be sure to spread the word and follow @tampaperiodpantry on Instagram to stay up to date with their latest news.
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