The newly opened period pantry is open to all community members.

A new period pantry has opened at the Health Partners Plans Community Wellness Center, located at 6232 Market Street. This new hub addresses period poverty that impacts two in five people who menstruate. The pantry will provide free menstrual products, education on menstrual health, and access to community health workers who can assist with scheduling women’s health appointments.

Period poverty occurs when individuals cannot access or afford menstrual hygiene products and is often linked to limited access to basic facilities and running water. People facing period poverty frequently have to choose between basic needs, like buying food or paying for utilities, and purchasing menstrual products, which can lead to significant health and mental health challenges. This issue is particularly prevalent in large cities like Philadelphia and disproportionately impacts Black and Latina women.

The hub aims to create a supportive, period-friendly space within the Community Wellness Center that helps reduce barriers to menstrual health, so that individuals don’t have to choose between their health and basic needs.

Yesterday, Health Partners Plans joined local nonprofit No More Secrets Mind Body Spirit Inc. to address period poverty at the grand opening of the period pantry at the Health Partners Plans Community Wellness Center. During the health education presentation, No More Secrets’ founder/CEO Lynette Medley discussed the intersection of menstrual health and well-being, emphasizing the essential role that gynecologists play in supporting women’s health throughout all life stages (see photo below).

The pantry is operated by Health Partners Plans’ Community Wellness Center staff and Health Benefits Navigators. It is open to all community members on Wednesdays from 1-4 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Jefferson Health Plans will provide products to those in need outside of those hours by appointment. Appointments can be made by calling 833-435-1995 or emailing communityconnect@jeffersonhealthplans.com

No More Secrets Mind Body Spirit Inc. provides an impactful menstrual health education presentation to educate community members on the essential role that gynecologists play in supporting women’s health throughout all life stages. (Photos by Talya Hailey McCaulley)