Period Pantry to open in Kingston

Mar 13

Written By HVNY

Hey, it’s Women’s History Month. So let’s talk PERIODS.

Yeah, I said it. Periods. Menstruation. Deal with it, just like 26-percent of the global population has to every single month.

Periods are an awkward, almost taboo topic in our culture, regardless of the fact that, on any given day, more than 800 million people have their period.

Despite that staggering number, a recent Harvard report showed that 64-percent of women struggle to afford period products, and 21-percent can’t afford them at all.

“Period Poverty is prevalent in our area,” said Sarah Finch, a Junior League of Kingston member. “Still, to this day, there is a shame in discussing menstruation. Women miss school, and work and experience a reduced quality of life-even serious medical conditions, due to the inability to access items that some never consider.”

That’s where the Junior League of Kingston and ::trumpets sound:: the Period Pantry can help.

Yes, a Period Pantry – just like the one in the kitchen, but instead of cereal and canned foods, this one is stocked with feminine hygiene products, even extra undies. The first Period Pantry is slated to open in Midtown Kingston later this summer, with more sites to come.

“We aim to place additional pantries throughout the city in the future that is accessible to different neighborhoods”, Finch added. The first-period pantry will be in midtown and is slated to be finished before the summer.

The Capital Region Menstrual Health, an initiative of Cornell Cooperative Extension, opened the area’s first Period Pantry in Schenectady in November (pictured).

To help stock the pantry, The Junior League of Kingston will host a happy hour kick-off fundraiser on Thursday, March 16, 2023 at Ole Savannah from 5-8pm. A $25 ticket includes appetizers and a raffle entry. Tickets can be purchased on the Junior League’s website and at the door.

For updates on product drives, pantry location(s), or to donate to the Junior League of Kingston, visit https://kingston.jl.org/. To donate, visit: https://vms.ajli.org/?nd=simple_store_donation&page_id=590

This story first appeared in the free HVNY weekly newsletter, This week in the Hudson Valley. Sign-up for it.