Framingham Schools Will Give Free Menstrual Products To Students

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Soon, every public building in Framingham — from City Hall to schools — will have free menstrual products available for people who need them.

Framingham Public Schools (FPS) on Monday announced a new pilot program coming this fall that will make tampons and pads free for about 400 middle and high school students across the district. About 150 students taking summer programs, which began in early July, are also getting free access.

The district is working with the Framingham-based nonprofit Dignity Matters, which collects and distributes hygiene products and clothing to homeless and low-income women. Dignity Matters will also provide free sports bras and underwear to FPS students.

"We are so excited to begin this pilot program with Dignity Matters," FPS Adolescent Health Nurse Mynette Shifman said in a news release. "There are so many students in our schools who need menstrual products in order to come to school."

The FPS pilot program complements an effort that came out of the Framingham Youth Council this year. The council wrote an ordinance requiring the city to provide free menstrual products in buildings like City Hall and the public libraries. Mayor Yvonne Spicer signed the measure into law in June after it was approved unanimously by City Council.

Framingham High School students and Youth Council members Chloe Mills and Alison Jones helped FPS health officials bring the effort into city schools.

There's a larger movement in the U.S. to provide menstrual products for free in public restrooms — which advocates say are no less important than seat covers or hand soap. People who need pads and tampons often need them at a moment's notice, according the group Free the Tampons.

Want to help? Dignity Matters accepts donations of menstrual products and undergarments. Find out how to give on the nonprofit's website.