Period Poverty
Period poverty is the inability to afford or to access menstrual products, sanitation and hygiene facilities
and education and awareness to manage menstrual health.
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Everywhere across the spectrum of poverty, there is period poverty.
Women and girls experiencing homelessness have periods.
Women working two or three jobs to make ends meet have periods.
Single mothers and their daughters as young as 10 years old have periods.
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More than 216,000 women in the US experience homelessness on any given night. (HUD Point in Time Survey 2018)
A study of more than 640 women who needed period supplies at school found less than half had access.
Women miss work, girls miss school.
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They get by using a variety of unsanitary and unhealthy options like reusing disposable products or using socks or kitchen sponges. Those are real life examples.
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This is a health crisis.
This is Period Poverty.
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South Florida Period Project seeks to end it.
Testimonials
Thank you to the women at Sheridan House who shared their experiences of period poverty . . .
Building Self-Esteem
"The South Florida Period Project has been a tremendous blessing to me and my twin teenage daughters. You have helped my two daughters greatly improve their confidence and self-esteem." -M
Promoting Healthy Periods
"In my case most of the time I didn’t have money for pads so I would just use tissue to ensure my girls could use the proper pads. Now we are able to have pads." -D
Empowering Women
"I remember the times that I had to substitute these feminine needs for the benefit of my family's necessities. I'm sure there are many single mothers that have to make those same decision so thank you very much for donations!" -B
What We Do
We make period packs for women and girls experiencing homelessness, school-age girls who need period supplies, or anyone experiencing period poverty.
Having period supplies each month promotes dignity, health, and confidence.
Period Packs include enough pads, tampons, and liners to get through one month. We will also include feminine wipes, urinary pads, and new underwear, when those are donated.
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Donations can be left with one of our community partners, picked up from your location, or sent directly to SFPP through our Amazon Wish List!
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Since August 2018 we have distributed more than 62,000 donated products!
Your donations provide period security to women and girls experiencing homelessness who are served by the Miami Rescue Mission & Broward Outreach Center, single mothers and their daughters served by Sheridan House Ministries, women in the care of University of Miami Women’s Services and Every Mother's Advocate, and schoolgirls in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.
Donors & Volunteers Make the Difference!
South Florida Period Project Headquarters
Hollywood, FL
Text 305-527-0743 for locations & times
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Coral Gables Location
2121 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, Suite 240
Coral Gables, FL 33134
M-F | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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Become a Donation Site or Schedule a Pick Up!
Text 305-527-0743 for details
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Promoting Teen Health and Education
Help girls stay in school with confidence and dignity!
We continue efforts to promote teen health and urge your support to fund legislation to
ensure no girl misses school due to lack of period products.
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​Bill # CS/HB 389 - Menstrual Hygiene Products in Public Schools, became effective July 1, 2023. "The bill encourages participating school districts to partner with nonprofit organizations, nongovernmental organizations, businesses, and other organizations to assist in supplying and maintaining the menstrual hygiene products." There is NO FUNDING for this bill!
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www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/389/Analyses/h0389z1.EQS.PDF
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​Learn More About Your Period!
Text (305) 527-0743 to learn about Period Talks with The Period Lady!
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Check out these web resources:
Special Events!
Homestead Middle School Open House
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September 3, 2025 - 40 teen packs distributed!​
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​SoFlo Period Pantry and the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Palm Beaches Period Pantry and Healthcare Travel Kits Packing Party
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March 22, 2025 - We made more than 400 period packs and 100 health travel bags!
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Period Packing Party at Hollywood Library
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July 27, 2024 - We made 75 teen packs and 140 adult packs!
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Girls Hygiene Kits in Support of Xtra Ordinary Ladies
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April 2024 - We donated more than 1,500 products!
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Purses & Pads Packing Party!
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5 Year Anniversary Party! ​ Saturday, August 12, 2023 ~ We made 158 period packs!
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Period Packing Party at Hollywood Library
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Saturday, February 22, 2020 - We made 90 period packs!
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Holiday Period Packing Party!
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Saturday, December 21, 2019 - We made 50 Period Packs!
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Housewarming Party & Donation Drive
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Saturday, July 13, 2019 - We made 52 Period Packs!
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Period Packing Party in Hollywood!
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Saturday, April 6, 2019 - We made 66 Period Packs!
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Period Packing Party with Girl Scout Troop 219
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Saturday, November 17, 2018 - We made 127 Period Packs!
Fulfilling Our Mission
By the numbers . . .
More than 2,000 Period Packs Donated!
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That's more than 62,000 personal hygiene products - pads, tampons, and liners, plus urinary pads, sanitary wipes, and new underwear!
Who is South Florida Period Project?
South Florida Period Project is a grassroots passion project founded by Christina Bontempo - "The Period Lady" - and run by me, my son, Theodore, and local volunteers - The Period Project Superstars!
I am a working mother, an activist, and a community volunteer. I first learned about period poverty in 2017 from an article in a teen magazine. I had never considered the struggle women and girls living in poverty face when they have their periods and the horrifying choices they are forced to make on a monthly basis. Nor did I realize the gross inequities of access to feminine care products throughout the country - experienced by girls in school and incarcerated women as well as women and girls experiencing homelessness.
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I knew I wanted to help in this cause but when I looked for a local period project, I could not find one. As I continued to learn more about period poverty, I finally decided I had to do something.
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With guidance from women running other successful projects, and the support of local agencies, I launched South Florida Period Project in August 2018.
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Since then, I continue to be encouraged and inspired by the women and girls receiving period packs, the organizations who promote menstrual health, and by other advocates working to end period poverty and promote menstrual equity from coast to coast.
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I am grateful for the support of every person and organization who has donated products and their time, the Miami Rescue Mission, Sheridan House Ministries, UM Women's Services, EMA-Every Mother's Advocate, The Homeless Period Project, #Happy Period Bay Area, my colleagues at Behavioral Science Research Corp., and my friends and family. And especially, the #1 Period Project Superstar, my son, Theodore.
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Power to the Period.
Contact Us
Text or Call (305) 527-0743