Upstate New York Is Now Home To A Period Pantry

Women all across Central New York and Upstate have a reason to celebrate. A new Period Pantry is now fully stocked in Utica.

This unique pantry stands outside the YWCA in Utica. That's located at 310 Rutger Street in Utica. More specifically, the pantry is located in the parking lot of the YWCA Mohawk Valley. WKTV reports that it's called the Period Pantry, and it's filled with menstruation products.

“Feminine hygiene products are a resource that can come with many barriers to access,” YWCA MV CEO Dianne Stancato said. “The Period Pantry is something we at YWCA MV have been working on for a while now, and we are incredibly proud and excited to be able to provide this kind of support to our extended community.”

The goal of the Period Pantry is to combat local period poverty, officials said.

The YWCA wants to help bridge that gap. The Priscilla P. Norris Fund through the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, Inc. provided a grant to keep it stocked in the coming months. Construction of the pantry was donated by Adorino Construction, Inc. The Period Pantry is available 24-hours a day, and it's restocked regularly. For more information, or how to donate, you can email info@ywcamv.org.

According to a survey titled State of the Period, 1 in 5 teens in the U.S. have struggled to or could not afford period products, and more than 84% have missed class time due to lack of access.

 

Sky’s the Limit 2023

Sky’s the Limit is a full-day summit dedicated to the empowerment of young girls by connecting them with inspiring local leaders in their own communities. Sky’s the Limit is open to any and every girl and young woman ages 13 to 18 in Herkimer and Oneida counties. Registration is open now, and you can learn more online here.