Why This Project Matters
Menstrual products are not a luxury – they are a basic necessity. Yet many individuals struggle to access the products they need due to cost, availability, and other barriers.
Period poverty affects people of all ages and backgrounds. When someone cannot afford menstrual products, it can impact their health, comfort, confidence, school attendance, work participation, and overall well-being.
By organizing a Menstrual Hygiene Product Drive and Care Kit Assembly Event, you can help provide essential products to community members while raising awareness about period equity and menstrual health.
Whether you’re collecting supplies, assembling kits, or both, this is a simple and impactful way to support your community.
Host a Menstrual Hygiene Product Drive
A product drive is an easy way to engage friends, coworkers, classmates, neighbors, faith communities, and other supporters in a shared effort to address a critical need.
Most Requested Items
- Pads (all absorbencies)
- Overnight pads
- Panty liners
- Tampons (all absorbencies)
- Menstrual cups
- Period underwear
- Feminine wipes (individually wrapped, unscented when possible)
- Hand sanitizer
- Disposable, individually wrapped heating packs
- New underwear (all sizes)
- Small cosmetic or hygiene bags
Tips for a Successful Program
- Set a clear collection timeframe for your product drive.
- Create a visible collection location.
- Share information about period poverty and menstrual equity. You can find information and resources at Period.org.
- Publicize the drive through social media, email, flyers, and word of mouth.
- Keep language gender-neutral. Staying focused on “menstrual hygiene” rather than “women’s hygiene” can make a big difference. It’s important to remember that people of all genders have vulvas and some -don’t identify as women. There are nonbinary people and trans men in our community who have vulvas and experience menstrual cycles. Using gender neutral language can help make sure everyone feels advocated for and included!
Host a Menstrual Care Kit Assembly Event
Want to take your impact one step further? Turn donated products into ready-to-distribute menstrual care kits.
You can distribute kits in your own community, or share them with Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York and let us handle distribution!
What You’ll Need
- Menstrual hygiene products
- Resealable bags, cosmetic bags, or small tote bags
- Markers and stickers for decorating kits
- Tables for assembly stations
- Volunteers
- Snacks and refreshments (optional)
- A playlist to keep energy high
What Your PPCWNY Contact Can Help Provide
- Guidance on kit contents
- Educational materials about menstrual health and period equity
- Advocacy resources
- Volunteer engagement opportunities
- Buttons, stickers, and other supporter materials
- Information on distributing completed kits
Recommended Care Kit Contents
Each kit can be customized based on available supplies, but we recommend including:
Menstrual Products
- Pads (4–8)
- Tampons (4–8)
- Panty liners (2–4)
Comfort & Hygiene Items
- Feminine wipe pack
- Hand sanitizer (1 travel-size bottle)
- Tissues (1 pocket pack)
Additional Items (Optional)
- New underwear
- Small snacks
- Small pouch or cosmetic bag
- Encouragement note
- Heating pads and other pain management tools
- Menstrual health resources
- Stressball or fidget toy
To Do: Prior to the Event
- Set a Date and Time
Choose a date that works for your volunteers and allows time for promoting your drive.
- Secure a Location
Any community room, conference room, classroom, break room, or gathering space with tables and seating can work.
- Recruit Volunteers
Assembly events are most successful with groups of six or more, but any group size can make an impact.
- Collect Supplies
Gather and sort donated menstrual products and assembly materials in advance – double-check that all materials are new and individually wrapped/unopened.
- Coordinate Distribution
Work with your PPCWNY contact or community partner to determine where completed kits will be delivered.
To Do: Day of Event
- Set Up Stations
Arrange supplies so volunteers can easily move through the assembly process.
Suggested stations:
- Kit bags/containers
- Pads
- Tampons
- Panty liners
- Hygiene items
- Notes and decorations
- Quality control
- Finished kit collection/organization
- Create a Note-Writing Station
Include cards, paper, markers, and examples of supportive messages.
- Welcome Volunteers
Share the purpose of the project and explain the assembly process.
- Assemble Kits
Encourage volunteers to work together, restock supplies, and check kit quality.
- Complete Quality Control
Ensure each kit contains the intended items before packing for distribution.
Menstrual Care Kit Checklist
Essential Contents
- PADS (4–8)
- TAMPONS (4–8)
- PANTY LINERS (2–4)
- FEMININE WIPE PACK
- HAND SANITIZER (1)
- ENCOURAGEMENT NOTE (1)
Optional Contents
- LIP BALM
- MENSTRUAL HEALTH RESOURCE CARD
- COSMETIC OR HYGIENE BAG
- NEW UNDERWEAR
- SMALL SNACKS
- ENCOURAGEMENT NOTE
- HEATING PADS AND OTHER PAIN MANAGEMENT TOOLS
- STRESSBALL OR FIDGET TOY
Encouragement Note Guidelines
Do
✅ Keep messages positive, gender neutral, and encouraging.
✅ Focus on dignity, support, and community.
✅ Keep messages brief.
Don’t
❌ Make assumptions about someone’s situation.
❌ Include personal contact information.
❌ Use language that could feel judgmental or intrusive.
Example Notes
- “Wishing you comfort and support.”
- “We hope these supplies help make your day a little easier.”
- “Sending care and encouragement from our community.”
- “The world is better with you in it.”
Signing Notes
Do not use your own name when signing. Please sign as:
“A Planned Parenthood Volunteer”
or
“A Planned Parenthood Supporter”
Event Facilitation Tips
- Play music to create a welcoming environment.
- Share facts about menstrual equity and community need.
- Have volunteers rotate between stations.
- Take photos of supplies and completed kits to share on social media.
- Provide information about future volunteer opportunities.
Remember: This event is about more than assembling products. It’s about building a community where everyone has access to the basic necessities they need to live healthy, dignified lives.
Ready to Get Involved?
When people ask how they can make a difference in our community and in reproductive freedom advocacy, supporting menstrual equity is a powerful place to start.
By hosting a Menstrual Hygiene Product Drive or Care Kit Assembly Event, you can help ensure that more people have access to essential products, dignity, and support.
Reach out to Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York at getinvolved@ppcwny.org to learn more about hosting your own drive, assembling care kits, donating supplies, or getting involved with upcoming volunteer opportunities. Together, we can help create a community where no one has to go without the menstrual products they need.