The Poverty You’ve Never Heard Of

At the October 21, 2025, meeting of the Democratic Women’s Club of Marco Island (DWC Marco), an audience of 70 women and men learned about a form of poverty most had never heard of. Most people associate poverty with a lack of food, housing, safe drinking water, or medical care. But “period poverty,” which refers to the inability to afford or access menstrual hygiene products such as sanitary pads, is a big problem not only in underdeveloped countries but also right here in Florida, the fourth largest state in the United States.  

Men, please don’t pass this article up. Read it as though it could be about your daughter, your sister, or even your wife! Period poverty and its economic and social implications aren’tjust a “women’s issue.”  

According to Sheila Kumar, Vice President of the Alliance for Period Supplies of SWFL (https://www.apsofswfl.org), who spoke at the meeting, one in fourgirls/women (some as young as eight or nine years old)in the US struggle to afford period supplies. As a result, two in five females have missed school or work on the days they have their period. This puts school-age girls at a disadvantage as they can miss important learning opportunities, and causes working women to potentially lose wages or even their job. Imagine the learning and productivity losses when these absences happen on almost a monthly basis!  

The lack of accessibility of period supplies has been exacerbatedin part by an approximate 40% increase in prices for period products since 2019. In addition, state and federal programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and food stamps cannot be used to purchase period products,which are considered non-food hygiene items.  

To help these vulnerable women, the Alliance for Period Supplies of SWFL (APSOFSWFL) was formed in 2019 by southwest Florida resident Dustine Beaubien when shelearned about this problem. It is a certified non-profit, run by 16 women who all serve as volunteers. According to Ms. Kumar, the organization has been able to negotiate deeply discounted prices for period supplies and has partnered with 40 local non-profits who in turn, distribute products for free to about 200 sites where they can be conveniently picked up by those who need them. Products are also supplied to Collier, Lee, and Glades Countyschools. The organization meets approximately 6,500 girls andwomen’s needs each month and aspires to increase supply to 10,000 females in the next two to three years.  

APSOFSWFL encourages those who want to help to visit their website, www.apsofswfl.org, to educate themselves on this little-known problem. They also encourage people to spread the word among family, friends, and associates; volunteer; and donate funds as finances allow. (Because APSOFSWFL is able to obtain period supplies at discounted prices, monetary donations are preferred in lieu of donors buying the supplies themselves.) 

Period poverty is a source of embarrassment, shame, anxiety, and other negative emotions for those who suffer from it. Your help to APSOFSWFL can make a huge difference in the life of a girl or womanwho is a victim of this outrageous scourge.