Go With The Flow: Who, What, and Why
The Who:
Go With The Flow was created in 2017 after its Executive Director Demetra Presley, learned about a teacher who started to keep bags filled with menstrual hygiene products in her classroom because she was frequently approached by her students requesting period products. After reaching out to local parents and school staff, Demetra's concerns were confirmed: that school budget restrictions did not allot for an adequate supply of menstrual hygiene products to students and the limited supply that was available, was often provided at the expense of school staff. An even more troubling find however though, was learning about the different ways students themselves would offset their need by making makeshift pads and tampons from socks, towels, toilet paper, or other miscellaneous items, rationing the items they had which meant extending their use and subsequently, increasing the possibility of getting infections, or not attending school at all to eliminate the chance of staining their clothes and facing ridicule from their peers.
The What:
Go With the Flow has provided schools in Tucson and Phoenix and neighboring areas with over 20,000 period packs- small bags that contain tampons, sanitary napkins, and panty liners. When a student at a participating school needs menstrual supplies, they can approach various school staff to obtain a period pack. Schools can contact Go With The Flow for additional packs whenever they are running low, helping to ensure a continuous supply of menstrual hygiene products for students at no cost to the school.
The Why:
For lower income or homeless students menstrual hygiene products can be an extra burden if they or their families are not able to afford their costs. Go With The Flow believes making period packs available is important because no student should have their education disrupted by the anxiety that can arise from not having access to essential menstrual items which can result in lower productivity in the classroom or worse, missing school altogether. Menstruation should not stop education. Period.
Find Out How You Can Get Involved
SOS: Period Products Needed
No student should miss school or compromise their dignity because their body is engaging in a natural, normal function. Sign up here to have your school receive a supply of period packs!
People Helping People Period
Period products are needed outside of the classroom too. If you are an organization that provides services to community members who have difficulty accessing period products, sign up here!
Become A Member of Our Tampon Tribe
From making a donation of menstrual hygiene products, hosting or attending a period pack party, coordinating a donation drive, or spreading community awareness, there are plenty of ways to join the fight to end period poverty!
The Donation Station
Want to make a donation of period products? Shop our Amazon Wishlist of our most requested items and have a donation mailed directly to us!
That Time Of The Month
Every quarter join us for a discussion about all things period! We’re taking the conversation out of the bathroom and talking about menstruation- the good, the bad, the things we weren't taught and the questions we never got answered!
Help Us Change The Cycle: Sponsor A Period
By choosing to support our work, you are taking an essential step that can have a significant impact on a student and their decision to show up, participate in, and focus on their education!
