Macon Magazine

D E C E M B E R / J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 0 | MACONMAGAZINE.COM 5 9 the conversations about menstruation through education, presentation and events," said Paula del Rio, a member of the MPE leadership team. "To that end, we don't call them 'feminine hygiene products.' We use the real words, 'tampons, pads, liners,' to normalize the conversation." It's a conversation this community is ripe for. "While we do have access to poverty data for Macon-Bibb County, we unfortunately do not have any recorded numbers specifically on period poverty," said Andrea Cooke, another member of the MPE leadership team. According to statistics from MPE, the concentrated poverty level in Macon-Bibb County is 44.7 percent, which is the third highest in the nation. In 2017, 13,567 children lived in poverty in Macon-Bibb. That means period poverty is a very real problem. "At the Macon-Bibb County health department, we realize the financial strain that buying feminine hygiene products can place on individuals and their families. Our legislatures saw this need and starting this year we are able to provide feminine hygiene products free of charge to community members," said Dr. Renee Haynes, district health director for the North Central Health District. "I am delighted that our community was chosen as one of five nationwide to receive national help with providing feminine hygiene resources to those with limited access. Macon Periods Easier has provided over 23,000 menstrual products to residents and are making a difference." For some families, that difference is significant. "Having a period costs $12 to $20 a month. If you have more than one woman in your household, that adds up to a lot of money," del Rio said. "There are people here who can't afford groceries, much less period products." Cooke said that due to various factors and stigmas, period poverty is a problem that's only come to the forefront in recent years. "Period poverty has existed much longer than that, but changing attitudes toward menstruation have brought it to light," she said. "That's part of why we are doing what we're doing. By bringing attention to the problem, we're dismantling stigmas, making people aware of an issue in their own backyards and showing people how they can help. Ideally, this work will create a conversation and we'll be able to compile stats on period poverty locally, and eventually across the state and U.S." The work MPE is doing locally already has garnered national attention. Major period product brand Always reached out to MPE and selected the group to be a "local period hero." Macon Mayor Robert Reichert declared October as Period Poverty Awareness Month and MPE held a news conference in late September at Howard High announcing that Always donated 35,000 pads to the organization. Those pads – along with a second, more recent donation of 15,000 pads from Always – are being packed with other period supplies into goodie bags, which are distributed to schools and other organizations across Middle Georgia. "Period Parties" are happening at schools, churches and even among groups of friends. Women – and some men – are collecting donations and packing bags containing four pads, two tampons, two liners and two wipes. Del Rio said the bags have been distributed locally to recreation centers, rehabilitation facilities, homeless shelters and most importantly, to schools. "Our school district is thankful for organizations like Macon Periods Easier that see a need in our community and then step up to fill that need," said Bibb County Schools Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones. "We know the lack of menstrual products is an issue because the Georgia General Assembly took action to set aside CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: MACON PERIODS EASIER LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE MEMBER RUTH BROOKS AND TWO SUPPORTERS AT THE GROUP'S LAUNCH PARTY IN EARLY 2019. MPE LEADERSHIP MEMBER PAULA DEL RIO SPEAKS AT THE ALWAYS DONATION ANNOUNCEMENT AT HOWARD HIGH SCHOOL. MPE VOLUNTEEER LADONNA STURN AND MPE LEADERSHIP MEMBER ABBY NOBLE AT THE LAUNCH PARTY. MPE LEADERSHIP MEMBERS ANDREA COOKE AND RACHEL GAMBILL AT HOWARD HIGH. Want to make periods easier? MACON PERIODS EASIER accepts donations of period products year-round – there is even a supply wish list on Amazon. Any groups are welcome to collect supplies or host "Period Parties," and MPE's FaceBook page has information on how to get involved. For those without the means to purchase supplies, but who would still like to be involved, MPE also needs volunteers to pack bags. The easiest way to get involved? Normalize periods and discussion of periods in your home, place of worship, civic organization and school.

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