Back
Period poverty emerged as a critical challenge facing nonprofits across the United States, according to Good360’s new Health and Hygiene report. While hygiene insecurity affects people of all ages and genders, access to period products surfaced as an immediate, visible, and under-addressed barrier to participation, particularly for teens. Approximately 73% of nonprofit partners identified period products as a critical hygiene gap, with lack of access repeatedly cited as a direct cause of missed school, missed programming, and social withdrawal of teen girls.
The scale of the problem is significant, and the rising cost of living is making it worse. According to UN Women, one in three adults in the United States struggle to afford period products. With nearly half of American families unable to afford day-to-day expenses, Good360’s Health and Hygiene report found that period products are often the first thing left off the grocery list. Period products are not covered by government-funded programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), leaving the cost to fall entirely on families already making impossible decisions between rent, bills, and necessities. The stigma around periods remains deeply entrenched, causing teens to rarely ask for help. Instead, they quietly ration what little they have or resort to makeshift alternatives, managing their period alone rather than risk embarrassment in front of a teacher or another adult.
Across diverse communities and contexts, Good360’s report found a consistent pattern: when girls have reliable and discreet access to period products, the impact is immediate. Attendance stabilizes, anxiety decreases, confidence returns, and participation resumes. Access to period products is not a secondary issue. It is a foundational requirement for educational access, dignity, and equity.
Cinira Baldi, CEO of Good360, said:
“What we heard from nonprofits across our network was unambiguous – period poverty is not a niche concern. It is showing up in every community and every region, affecting girls, women, and families who are already stretched to the limit. Local nonprofits are doing extraordinary work, but they cannot keep up with growing demand alone. Good360 is committed to closing that gap, and we are calling on foundations, corporate partners, and supporters to step up so that no girl has to miss school and no family has to go without.”
Edelyn Castellon, Senior Program Manager, School Resource Center at United Way of Lee County, Florida, said:
“What we see every day is families making impossible choices. Parents have to decide whether a student is going to have uniforms or whether they are going to buy period products. When students do not have what they need, they do not come to school, or they come distracted and unable to focus. As they start receiving these items, they start going back to school. They are not missing as much. We take deodorant and toothpaste for granted. For them, that is a gift.”
Maureen Grove, Executive Director, Girls Inc. of Washington County, said:
“We see girls withdrawing from programming every month, not because they do not want to be here, but because their families cannot afford period products. When access becomes reliable, everything changes. Attendance stabilizes. Confidence comes back. Girls who were disengaging start showing up and taking on leadership roles. What changed wasn’t just her attendance; it was her confidence. For many of the girls we serve, these items are not optional. They are essential to attendance, confidence, and overall well-being.”
Erin Hibbs, President of Native American Heritage Association, serving communities in South Dakota and Wyoming, said:
“Families on these reservations are already navigating impossible distances and impossible trade-offs. The nearest store can be two hours away, and when you have to choose between gas, food, and period products, hygiene loses. At our distributions, the period products are gone first. The winter coats are secondary. Our trucks are a lifeline and if we were not here, these communities would be in even worse shape than they already are.”
Good360 is committed to closing the period poverty gap by sourcing period products and channeling them to vetted local nonprofits across the country. Good360 calls on foundations, product donors and corporate partners, and supporters to invest in this gap, ensuring community organizations have the consistent supply they need to keep girls in school, support families in crisis, and deliver products with dignity.
To learn more about Good360’s work supporting period poverty, visit our Health and Hygiene page.
Note to Editors:
- Good360 surveyed 22 nonprofits across 16 states from February 25th to March 3rd, 2026.
- Good360 conducted in-depth conversations with five nonprofits serving various communities and demographics for the report.
