HWP prioritizes the needs of people experiencing relationship violence, who have been denied access to resources due to systemic racism and institutional biases, we direct support to communities of color and organizations that serve BIPOC communities. We listen to our BIPOC partners and we adjust our support based on the cultural and traditional preferences of the people we serve.

Why We’re Here

The number of families in the USA needing assistance from food pantries continues to increase every year. The lack of access to menstrual health products for people who are either homeless or low-income is appalling. These necessary products are not covered by SNAP or any other welfare program.  Each month, this leaves countless people without the products many of us take for granted.

How You Can Help

Donate Products

Bring menstrual health products to one of our many drop box locations or start your own drive to collect tampons and pads.

Make a Monetary Donation

We are able to buy in bulk, so your donations go furthest:
$50 can buy 500 pads or tampons.
$40 can cover one individuals menstrual needs for an entire year!

Volunteer

Volunteering at one of our events or helping sort products are just a few of the ways you can help.

2023 Distributions!

1.14 MILLION TOTAL ITEMS DELIVERED in 2022!

258327

Tampons

1046727

Pads

11158

Delivery Bags

How It All Started

Did you know that in 2021 HWP distributed over 740,000 pads, tampons, wipes, bladder control pads, and panty liners? Learn how we got started helping women in the Lansing area.

Video by Uno Deuce Multimedia

News

2018 Impact Report

Would you like to learn more about the true scope of Helping Women Period?  This story is beautifully displayed in our 2018 Impact Report.  We would like to thank MoonSail North for their incredible collaboration and execution.   Please click on the thumbnail to enjoy!    

Final City of Lansing Mobile Food Pantry Distribution

Thank you to all our volunteers who supported the 12 distributions held throughout the city of Lansing this past year.  In rain, snow, or sun, you showed up and distributed with a smile.  Below are some recent photos from the December distribution (scroll to see all of them).    We could not support this monthly […]

How Can I Do This In My Area?

“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” Oscar Wilde We aim to reduce menstrual stigma and increase access to the product throughout the country (and the world), not just here in mid-Michigan.  On a weekly basis, we receive inquiries from folks around the country who are interested in recreating what we do here at Helping […]

We love our volunteers!

On December 3, we held a Volunteer Appreciation Brunch. It was a time for us to take a few moments to express our appreciation for the many roles our volunteers fill in order to make HWP run smoothly.  It was also a time for the volunteers to meet and greet each other.  We are thankful […]

Events

Mobile Food Pantry- Olivet Baptist Church

07/09/2022 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am – Free, fresh and non-perishable food items will be distributed on Saturday, July 9th, 2022 at the Olivet Baptist Church. Helping Women Period will be distributing menstrual products at this event. Volunteer sign up here.     

Mobile Food Pantry- Friendship Baptist Church

10/15/2022 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am – The City of Lansing Human Relations and Community Services Department and the Greater Lansing Food Bank will be distributing free, fresh and non-perishable food items on October 15th, 2022 at the Friendship Baptist Church. Helping Women Period will be distributing menstrual products at this event. Volunteer sign up here.     

Mobile Food Pantry- Lansing Catholic High School

12/17/2022 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am – The City of Lansing Human Relations and Community Services Department and the Greater Lansing Food Bank will be distributing free, fresh and non-perishable food items on Saturday, December 17th, 2022 at Lansing Catholic High School. Helping Women Period will be distributing menstrual products at this event. Volunteer sign up here.     

Mobile Food Pantry- South Church of the Nazarene

11/19/2022 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am – The City of Lansing Human Relations and Community Services Department and the Greater Lansing Food Bank will be distributing free, fresh and non-perishable food items on Saturday, November 19th, 2022 at the South Church of the Nazarene. Helping Women Period will be distributing menstrual products at this event. Volunteer sign up here.     

Latest from Our Blog

How to Redefine Society’s View Of Periods

What Menstrual Empowerment Looks Like: Redefining Society’s Relationship with Periods For millions of people around the globe, menstruation is a taboo topic about a dirty subject. Cultural beliefs, patriarchal ideals, gender discrimination and conservative outlooks label periods as unclean. Of course, this couldn’t be further from the truth. But a lack of basic access to […]

Helping Women Period Hits Major 2023 Milestone: Delivery of 1 Million Period Products

Just six months into the year, Helping Women Period hit a major milestone — the delivery of 1 million period products to counties around Michigan.   “Hitting the 1 million mark halfway into 2023 is another sign that Helping Women Period’s impact continues to scale,” Executive Director Lysne Tait said. “In 2022, Helping Women Period […]

Period Poverty Awareness Week in Lansing, Michigan

Helping Women Period Applauds Lansing Mayor Andy Schor for Designating May 22-28 as Period Poverty Awareness Week and urges the Greater Lansing community to use this newly minted awareness week as inspiration to spur involvement in the fight to end period poverty. “Helping Women Period started here in Lansing eight years ago, so it’s especially […]

Make A Donation

Helping Women Period is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization, committed to supplying no cost menstrual health products to people that menstruate who are either homeless or low-income. With your donation, we can buy in bulk. Any donation amount is appreciated and goes a long way to purchasing products.

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