Charitable Union is perhaps best known for providing free clothing and household items to individuals and families in need throughout the Battle Creek area.

But within the last year, the organization began looking closely at another, less visible barrier: period poverty.

A large donation of feminine products initially prompted the exploration. The products were so well-received by clients and disappeared so quickly that staff began to research and evaluate the need and current availability in the community. They found that period poverty can be a major barrier to employment and education for local women and girls that’s not often talked about.

“Period poverty exists when a woman cannot access the necessary hygiene products needed during menstruation,” said Teresa Allen, Executive Director at Charitable Union. “The national data shows that 1 in 5 low-income women struggle to leave their homes during menstruation. We had no idea.”

When the large donation of 1,200 tampons came in, Charitable Union assembled kits and put up signs at checkout to let people know they could ask for them. The kits were gone within just a few months.

“Our clients came back to us and said, ‘That was great, can we get more?’” Allen said.

They went to work on the project, researching the issue, surveying clients and figuring out what a program could look like.

“We asked folks very intimate questions, like ‘Have you ever had to miss school or work because of your period?’” Allen said. “We had a staggering response of ‘Yes’.”

Charitable Union quickly launched a trial program, focused on school-aged girls. At a back-to-school clothing distribution, the organization gave away 300 period packs – pencil cases filled with product – and talked with girls about being prepared. As of November, they had served more than 600 girls and hope to eventually have the funding to expand the program to include women.

Allen presented the case for addressing period poverty at United Way’s Pop Up Giving for Basic Needs in December, taking home the trophy and the night’s donation pool to put toward the program.

“It was a great opportunity to share a more obscure program, and I think folks learned a lot of things,” she said.

In addition to giving away period packs at distribution events and in the Charitable Union store, staff is speaking with family advocates within area schools and with employers to encourage a change in philosophy regarding access to feminine hygiene products.

“It’s the little things that can be done,” Allen said. “When an employer offers product in their restroom, that allows a woman to go to work. If we all do a little something, we’re bringing awareness and support throughout the community.”

Two ways to help

• Charitable Union accepts donations from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

• With Pop Up Volunteering, United Way leads volunteer groups in assembling feminine hygiene kits and other types of products that we distribute to agencies throughout the community. To learn more, go to changethestory.org or email getinvolved@uwbckr.org.