Simple and to the Point, Period Kits.
Simple and to the point, that is what Period Kits aims to be. With a name that doesn’t attempt to dodge the mission it strives to uphold. Period Kits provides a 90-day supply of sanitary period products to individuals experiencing homelessness and extreme poverty. How Period Kits came to life…
One little word, period. Just a small word yet so many meanings, cultural taboos, and to some an enigma. For people who experience a recurring monthly ritual, a period is much more than just the end of a sentence. This was something well known by Ashley Beirne, a person who would bring awareness to a primarily unspoken topic. A Philadelphia native and someone who knew adversity quite well, Ashley knew the challenges many individuals face when encountering their period. As someone who knew what it meant to experience homelessness, Ashley’s intent was to provide a dignified experience to anyone having a period regardless of your status in this world. This meant eliminating the need for people to make choices between providing food for their families or purchasing period products.
This was driving force behind her mission in 2018 when she set out to distribute 300 period kits by the time of her birthday. The intention of each period kit was not only to provide a three-month supply of product, but also break down cultural barriers so that no one felt ashamed to talk about that time of the month. She did just that. By the summer of 2018, Ashley had distributed approximately 1,800 kits and acknowledged her mission to be complete. With a full heart she set off into the sunset with her husband, dog, and a traveling home enjoying the beauty this great country has to offer.
What Ashley did not know was that she was going to set in motion something much larger. It was in that moment a small group of community members acknowledged the need for this service and the void it would leave behind should the mission not continue What started as a birthday goal has evolved into a full fledge non-profit – Period Kits - championed by a group of five determined individuals.
Serving the local community and organizations such as Precious Child, The Harm Reduction Center, and Father Woody’s Haven of Hope, Period Kits strives to continue the mission Ashley started in the local Denver community. During the first year of operation, it is the goal of Period Kits to distribute 1,000 kits providing those in need access to a three-month supply of period products. Each kit includes 40 tampons, 20 pads, 20 personal liners, 20 wipes, and a 6 pack of underwear.
Though it can be easy to get caught in the hustle and bustle of our lives and forget about the experiences of others, the team at Period Kits aims to remind that we are all people that can help one another. For anyone looking to get involved please reach out to Period Kits at info@periodkits.org. Period Kits is always looking for product donations, drop-off locations, and volunteers who want to create impact in their community. Let us all work together so that no one must make the choice between food or personal hygiene. Dignity and periods, it really is that simple.
#periodkits #dignityforall #communityoutreach
