Menstrual equity in educational settings has become an increasingly important topic across the United States. Many students face challenges accessing menstrual products, leading to missed school days and increased financial burden on families and schools. According to available data, 1 in 5 menstruating students have missed school due to a lack of period supplies and resources. This article explores the various avenues through which schools can obtain free menstrual products, including direct from companies, through non-profit organizations, via government legislation, and through school-based initiatives.

Companies Providing Free Menstrual Products for Schools

Several companies in the feminine hygiene industry offer free samples or promotional programs that schools may be able to utilize. These options provide potential resources for schools seeking to supply menstrual products to students without incurring significant costs.

Rael offers free sample sets of organic cotton tampons with BPA-free applicators, which include two regular and two super tampons. The company also provides samples of breathable organic cotton covers for individuals who do not use tampons. Schools interested in these products would need to request samples directly through the company.

Kotex periodically offers free samples of their products, which include pads, liners, and tampons. As of the available information, Kotex has been offering an Overnight Ultrathin Combo Pack and U by Kotex Ultrathin Pads as samples. Schools could potentially contact Kotex to inquire about bulk sample availability for educational institutions.

Carefree US posts free samples on their website and also provides coupons, vouchers for rebates, and information about current promotions. Schools may find these resources helpful for supplementing their menstrual product supplies.

NannoCare offers NannoPad, which are sanitary pads developed to naturally relieve menstrual discomfort. The company provides a 90-day free trial program, though schools would need to be mindful of potential subscription requirements and ensure they cancel before the trial ends to avoid charges.

First Greener offers menstrual cups in either small or large sizes, with a limit of one per customer. Schools considering menstrual cups as an option should note that shipping fees would need to be covered by the school or requesting organization.

Poise has transitioned from offering free samples to providing vouchers or coupons that can be used to purchase their products. Schools may find these coupons useful for obtaining specific Poise products such as overnight fresh protection pads.

Non-Profit Organizations Supporting Menstrual Equity in Schools

Non-profit organizations play a crucial role in addressing period poverty by providing menstrual products to schools and students in need across the country. These organizations offer various programs and resources to support menstrual equity in educational settings.

Aunt Flow works with over 900 organizations, including schools, to provide free menstrual products. The organization reports that offering free menstrual products in schools increases attendance among girls by 2.4%. Aunt Flow collaborates with schools to finalize implementation details and budgets, ensuring that products are readily available in school bathrooms. Their approach aims to eliminate situations where students must improvise or leave class due to lack of access to menstrual products.

Free The Period operates in over 40 states, providing free pads, tampons, and menstrual cups to people in need. The organization regularly hosts donation drives and activities to support youth requiring sanitary products, along with other hygiene essentials like soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, lotion, shampoo, and conditioner. Free The Period sometimes opens online donation options, particularly for individuals in areas without active local chapters. Additionally, the organization advocates for ending tampon tax and eradicating period poverty.

HappyPeriod is a Black-led non-profit organization focused on menstrual health education, advocacy, and access. The organization sends menstrual hygiene kits to people across the country and supports women, teens, veterans, LGBTQ individuals, and non-binary people who are homeless, low-income, or living in poverty. Schools interested in partnering with #HappyPeriod can reach out to explore potential collaborations for obtaining free menstrual products for students.

The Alliance for Period Supplies, referenced in the sources, works to increase access to period products for those in need. While specific school program details aren't provided in the source material, the organization likely offers resources or products that schools could potentially utilize.

Lola Tampons encourages the purchase of donation kits, which include liners, pads, tampons, cleansing wipes, or condoms, through their website. All donated products are forwarded to the non-profit organization I Support the Girls. Schools interested in supporting menstrual equity could organize donation drives through Lola Tampons or directly through I Support the Girls.

Legislation and Policy Changes

Legislative efforts at the state level have increasingly recognized the importance of providing free menstrual products in schools. Several states have enacted laws and allocated funding specifically for this purpose, creating sustainable frameworks for schools to obtain and distribute menstrual products.

The Menstrual Equity For All Act of 2021 (HB 3614) has been signed into law in several states including Illinois, Washington, New York, New Hampshire, Virginia, and Oregon. This legislation requires school districts to provide free menstrual products for all menstruating students in public schools, covering elementary, middle, and high school levels. Such mandates ensure that schools have a clear obligation to make these products available, often in school bathrooms, to ensure accessibility and reduce stigma.

Colorado's menstrual equity legislation demonstrates an evolution in policy approach. In 2021, the state created a Menstrual Hygiene Products Accessibility Grant Program to provide funding specifically for schools where at least 50% of students are eligible for free or reduced-cost lunch. In 2024, Colorado expanded this legislation to require all schools with grades 6-12 to provide period supplies free of charge. The state allocates $200,000 annually to help fund this mandate, demonstrating a financial commitment to menstrual equity.

Nebraska has established a pilot program set to begin in the 2025-2026 school year. This program provides $250,000 to make period products available to school districts across the state. Participating school districts must ensure that period products—including both pads and tampons—are available in school bathrooms at no cost to students. This pilot program will likely provide valuable data for potential statewide implementation.

Pennsylvania has allocated $3,000,000 in the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 state budget for the Department of Health, in consultation with the Department of Education, to award grants to school entities. These grants specifically support providing period products at no cost to students, representing a significant financial commitment to addressing period poverty in schools.

New Mexico is mentioned in the source material as having taken action on menstrual equity legislation, though specific details about the state's policies are not provided in the available information.

These legislative developments create important frameworks for schools to obtain menstrual products, often with dedicated funding streams that reduce the financial burden on individual districts and ensure consistent availability across schools.

School-Based Programs and Initiatives

Beyond legislative mandates and external partnerships, many schools have developed their own innovative programs to address menstrual equity. These initiatives often combine product provision with education and environmental considerations.

Ucon's "Campus Cup" program focused on the "fight against plastics" while educating women about the use and benefits of menstrual cups. This program demonstrates how schools can address both period poverty and environmental concerns through sustainable menstrual product options. By providing education alongside product distribution, such programs help reduce stigma and promote long-term menstrual health knowledge.

The University of Arizona's Office of Sustainability developed the "ExtraVAGanza Project," which offers in-depth seminars, surveys, and free menstrual cups and other reusable products. This comprehensive approach combines product provision with education and research components, creating a model that other educational institutions could adapt. The inclusion of surveys allows for gathering valuable data about student needs and experiences with menstrual products.

Some schools have implemented programs that focus on specific demographics or needs within their student populations. For example, certain institutions have partnered with local organizations to provide period products specifically for students from low-income families or those experiencing homelessness. Targeted approaches ensure that resources reach the students who need them most while maintaining accessibility for all.

Many schools have also addressed the practical aspects of product distribution, ensuring that menstrual products are available in locations where students can access them discreetly and conveniently. Common strategies include placing dispensers in bathroom stalls, providing products in nurse's offices, and creating systems for students to request products without embarrassment or stigma.

How Schools Can Implement Free Menstrual Product Programs

Schools interested in implementing free menstrual product programs have several options to consider, ranging from direct procurement from manufacturers to partnerships with non-profit organizations. The appropriate approach may depend on available resources, school size, student population needs, and local legislation requirements.

For schools seeking to obtain products directly from manufacturers, several companies offer samples or promotional programs that could be utilized. Schools should contact companies like Rael, Kotex, Carefree US, NannoCare, and First Greener to inquire about bulk sample availability for educational institutions. When requesting samples, schools should be prepared to provide information about their student population and intended use of the products.

Partnerships with non-profit organizations offer another valuable avenue for schools to obtain menstrual products. Organizations like Aunt Flow, Free The Period, and #HappyPeriod have established programs specifically designed to work with schools. These organizations often provide not just products but also implementation guidance and educational resources. Schools interested in such partnerships should reach out directly to explore collaboration opportunities.

Schools located in states with menstrual equity legislation may have access to dedicated funding or resources. Administrators should familiarize themselves with relevant state laws and application processes for available grants or funding programs. For example, schools in Colorado may be eligible for funding through the state's Menstrual Hygiene Products Accessibility Grant Program, while Pennsylvania schools can apply for grants funded by the $3,000,000 allocation in the state budget.

When implementing menstrual product programs, schools should consider several practical factors:

1. Product selection: Schools should consider the diverse needs of their student population when selecting menstrual products. This may include a variety of absorbencies, types (pads, tampons, cups), and packaging options.

2. Distribution methods: Products should be made accessible in locations where students can obtain them discreetly and without embarrassment. Common approaches include bathroom dispensers, nurse's offices, and main office availability.

3. Education: Combining product provision with menstrual health education can help reduce stigma and promote understanding. This could include incorporating menstrual education into health classes or providing informational materials in bathrooms and health offices.

4. Sustainability: Schools interested in reducing waste might consider exploring reusable menstrual products like cups or cloth pads, which can be both cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

5. Privacy and dignity: Programs should be designed with student privacy and dignity in mind, avoiding practices that could embarrass or stigmatize students who need to access menstrual products.

Schools can also advocate for policy changes at the district or state level if menstrual equity legislation is not already in place. Resources from organizations like Aunt Flow and the Alliance for Period Supplies can provide templates and guidance for approaching administrators and policymakers about implementing free menstrual product programs.

Conclusion

Access to free menstrual products in schools has become an increasingly recognized necessity for educational equity across the United States. The availability of these products through multiple channels—including direct from companies, through non-profit organizations, via state legislation, and through school-based initiatives—provides schools with various options to address period poverty among their student populations.

Companies like Rael, Kotex, Carefree US, NannoCare, and First Greener offer samples and promotional programs that schools can potentially utilize. Non-profit organizations such as Aunt Flow, Free The Period, and #HappyPeriod provide dedicated support for schools seeking to implement menstrual product programs, often with additional resources beyond just the products themselves.

State legislation is creating increasingly robust frameworks for menstrual equity in schools, with states like Colorado, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, and others establishing mandates and funding specifically for this purpose. These legislative efforts ensure that schools have clear obligations and resources to provide menstrual products to all students who need them.

School-based initiatives, such as Ucon's "Campus Cup" program and the University of Arizona's "ExtraVAGanza Project," demonstrate how educational institutions can address menstrual equity through innovative approaches that combine product provision with education and sustainability considerations.

For schools looking to implement or expand menstrual product programs, the key considerations include understanding available resources, selecting appropriate products for their student population, ensuring accessible distribution methods, providing accompanying education, and maintaining a focus on student privacy and dignity.

As awareness of period poverty continues to grow and more states enact supportive legislation, the availability of free menstrual products in schools is likely to increase, contributing to improved educational outcomes and greater equity for menstruating students across the United States.

Sources

1. Free Feminine Hygiene Products by Mail
2. Advocate at Your School - Aunt Flow
3. Period Products in Schools - Alliance for Period Supplies