BayCare Provides Grant for Menstrual Dispensers in Hillsborough County Title 1 Middle Schools

BayCare today announced it has funded the purchase and installation of menstrual dispensers in Hillsborough County Title 1 middle schools, giving nearly 12,000 students free and unlimited access to feminine products in their school bathrooms. Title 1 refers to schools where at least 40% of the students are from low-income households and the school receives federal funds. 

Dispensers are currently installed in Adams Middle School, Buchanan Middle School, Burnett Middle School, Davidsen Middle School, Eisenhower Middle School, Ferrell Middle School and Giunta Middle School. 

The project is in collaboration with Global Girls Initiative’s Period Care Menstrual Dispenser program which provides cost effective and sustainable dispensers that hold any brand and size menstrual product for greater access and availability. The 501(c)(3) non-profit organization was created by Tampa Bay-area teen Aanya Patel to address accessibility to menstrual products in middle and high schools. 

“BayCare is proud to help break the cycle of period poverty in our local communities through funding and support of this initiative,” said Lisa Bell, director of community benefit for BayCare. “The timing of the project coincides with Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28, an annual global event to raise awareness about menstrual health and to highlight solutions that address its challenges.”

“Menstrual equity can only be achieved when sanitary products are accessible, safe and destigmatized,” added Patel. “By partnering with BayCare, we can provide young people with options and allow them to maintain their cycles with dignity as menstruation should not affect your education.” 

For more information about Global Girls Initiative and the Period Care Menstrual Dispenser program: https://globalgi.org/