The Community Health Foundation Delivers Grant to Living Hope Pregnancy Center For Red Pantry Program.

It is estimated that approximately 2,200 women in our area could be living with period poverty. This phenomenon is defined as inadequate access to menstrual hygiene tools and education, including but not limited to sanitary products, washing facilities, and waste management. As many as 1 in 4 teens in the US have missed classes due to the lack of period supplies. Nonstudents are also affected by period poverty, causing many to miss work. With 16.5% of Kay County’s total population living below the poverty line and 24% of children under the age of 18 living below the poverty line, period resources are needed and are not covered by WIC and SNAP programs.

Living Hope Pregnancy Center desires to partner with schools in North Central Oklahoma, food pantries, and other resource organizations to assist women affected by period poverty.

The hope is to begin this project with 15 Red Pantry Stations in Blackwell, Newkirk, Ponca City, Shidler, and Tonkawa. The stations will be stocked with a variety of period supplies and will be housed at discreet locations. The supplies will be completely free for those who need them.

The Community Health Foundation is proud to support this initiative to support girls and women in our community.

Living Hope Pregnancy Center is a pregnancy resource center serving Northern Oklahoma.