What Do You Mean By That?

61: Period Kits with Geoff Davis


Listen Later

Aunt Flo, shark week, that time of the month, your red-headed friend: whatever you call your period, menstruation is a natural bodily function that happens to 50% of the population.

For the majority of us, we take our monthly supplies for granted. But what happens if you’re homeless, or if you have to choose each month between purchasing groceries or paying for your feminine hygiene supplies?

On today’s show, Sara chats with Geoff Davis, Executive Director of Period Kits, who is helping to solve that dilemma by providing period kits and dignity to that vulnerable segment of our population who need them the most. Misasha joins Sara to discuss ways to get involved on a local level.

Listen in to this inspiring story and learn how you can make a difference!

Have questions, comments, or concerns?  Email us at [email protected]

What to listen for: 

  • Geoff provides an overview of the founding of Period Kits.
  • Each kit contains a 3-month supply of these products:
    • 40 tampons
    • 20 pads
    • 20 liners
    • 1 pack of personal wipes
    • 6 pairs of underwear
  • Geoff describes how women deal with menstruation when they can’t afford products.
  • Each year in January, Denver organizations go out with food and blankets and do a “point in time” survey to capture the number of people who are unstably housed.
  • These numbers are not exact, but the survey captures about one in two people for various reasons.
  • Geoff explains how they build the kits and the number of kits they provide each month. 
  • They are not able to keep with the demand from organizations and schools that are requesting Period Kits.
  • Geoff is using Period Kits as a way to campaign for broader change in our society.
  • The city of Denver removed menstrual products from the city sales tax because they’re classified as medically necessary, but the state tax still applies because it would cost them to lose about big money out of their budget.
  • Sara shares the costs of feminine hygiene products over the course of a woman’s life.

Like what you hear?  Don’t miss another episode and subscribe!

Catch up on more commentary between episodes by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter - or sign up for our email list.

Resources:

Period Kits - Denver

Blossom Project - San Francisco

Helping Women Period  - Michigan

The Homeless Period Project - South Carolina

Shanicia Boswell of Black Moms Blog brought it to our attention that you can donate period products to your local homeless shelters as well.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

What Do You Mean By That?By Sara and Misasha

  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7

4.7

140 ratings


More shows like What Do You Mean By That?

View all
This American Life by This American Life

This American Life

90,637 Listeners

The Moth by The Moth

The Moth

27,292 Listeners

Snap Judgment by Snap Judgment and PRX

Snap Judgment

11,513 Listeners

Hidden Brain by Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam

Hidden Brain

43,357 Listeners

Respectful Parenting: Janet Lansbury Unruffled by JLML Press

Respectful Parenting: Janet Lansbury Unruffled

3,665 Listeners

Science Vs by Spotify Studios

Science Vs

12,048 Listeners

10% Happier with Dan Harris by 10% Happier

10% Happier with Dan Harris

12,515 Listeners

Code Switch by NPR

Code Switch

14,530 Listeners

It's Been a Minute by NPR

It's Been a Minute

8,921 Listeners

Ologies with Alie Ward by Alie Ward

Ologies with Alie Ward

23,666 Listeners

Unladylike by Unladylike Media

Unladylike

3,648 Listeners

Feminist Survival Project by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski

Feminist Survival Project

362 Listeners

Good Inside with Dr. Becky by Dr. Becky Kennedy

Good Inside with Dr. Becky

4,360 Listeners

We Can Do Hard Things by Glennon Doyle and Audacy

We Can Do Hard Things

41,311 Listeners

Culture Study Podcast by Anne Helen Petersen

Culture Study Podcast

649 Listeners