Candor Health Education collecting menstrual supplies now

Recent research found that almost two-thirds of low income women in the U.S. could not afford menstrual products in the last year, while nearly half sometimes had to choose between buying food or menstrual products. The cost of menstrual products is estimated at $300/year or almost $10,000 over a lifetime for the average woman

This phenomenon is referred to as ‘period poverty’ which refers to the social, economic, political, and cultural barriers to menstrual products, education, and sanitation. The good news is that as of the 2021-2022 school year, all Illinois school districts are required to make period products available at no costs to students in each bathroom or nurse's office in every school building for schools that provide instruction in grades 4 – 12.

The bad news is that when school is out, many students don't have the resources to purchase products over the summer months.

That's why, for the third year in a row, the staff at Candor Health Education is now seeking supplies for and estimated 1,000 Chicago area students through May. It’s asking for affordable donations via a list it has created on Amazon. The wish list can be found here. Before the school year is out, qualifying students in the Chicago area will receive a personal bag filled with supplies for use over the summer.

Candor, which turns 50 this year, considers this initiative part of its mission to educate and support students about puberty, body changes, hygiene, communication, and many other topics related to sex education.

Please call 630.325.1900 with any questions.