Period Poverty Project - Soroptimist International of Las Cruces

HomePeriod Poverty Project

Periods don't stop for the holidays.

We are happy to provide an opportunity for girls at the New America and Alma d’Arte Charter High Schools in Las Cruces to choose the period products they may need during the winter and summer holiday breaks. Family budgets often cannot stretch to cover these necessary menstrual products. While the State of New Mexico provides period products in middle and high schools when schools are in session, our goal is to extend that support during the holidays to ensure that the girls have safe, hygienic products to be able to manage their bodies with dignity, protect their health and eliminate stress.

We need to talk.

Did you know . . . .
👎🏼 In New Mexico 1 in 5 women and girls between the ages of 12 and 44 live below the Federal Poverty Level. At New America and Alma D’Arte schools 97-100% of students are from families meeting Federal poverty guidelines. A significant number from each school is unhoused.

👎🏼 A single menstrual cycle can cost an individual anywhere from $9 to more than $20, creating an overwhelming expense for low-income households and the unhoused. Menstrual products (toilet paper, disposable diapers and similar non-food items) are classified as luxury items and are not covered by SNAP, WIC, or EBT, making them a significant financial burden.

👎🏼 When hygiene products aren’t available, girls may resort to using rags, tissues, toilet paper or even cardboard. These unhygienic and unsafe materials do not provide adequate protection and increase the risk of infection, rashes or more serious illness such as Toxic Shock.

Create Awareness

🤙🏼 Talk openly. Everyone (Yes, boys, too) needs to know that menstruation is natural and not shameful.

🤙🏼 Share the facts on your social media pages. Period Poverty Awareness Week this year is May 13-17, 2027.

🤙🏼 Sponsor a period product drive to collect menstrual products to donate to Soroptimist International of Las Cruces or to a local women’s shelter in Las Cruces or in the community where you live.

Period Poverty is a focus of the Soroptimist International of the Americas UpLiftHer Program.