Nassau County Jewish Women Peninsula Section launches the Period.Project

In 2018, then Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed into a law legislation that required public schools across the state to provide free menstrual products to students. However, the state does not provide funding for products.

Locally, the Lawrence-based National Council of Jewish Women-Peninsula Section looks to help  with the launch of their Period.Project.

“Many students do not attend school when they have their period,” Executive Director Bonnie Sperry wrote in an email. “Because they can’t afford to purchase menstrual products.”

The Peninsula Section’s Period. Project  was inspired by the program of the NCJW in Essex, New Jersey The Essex location has worked with nonprofits in its area to help ensure access to products for those in need. The list includes the Community Food Bank of New Jersey’s Period Initiative, Girls Helping Girls, Dignity.Period and others.

With more than 50 local nonprofit affiliates in 28 states, the mission of the NCJW is to fight for social justice for women, children and families. The Peninsula Section covers the Five Towns and its surrounding neighbors.

To kick-start their project, board members local board members and members of the Peninsula Section purchased and donated feminine products.

Sperry contacted schools across the area to see if they were in need of products for their students. Lawrence Middle School and Freeport High responded. Sperry described their responses as “jumping all over the idea.”

In late October, the Peninsula Section had what they called a “packing party,” which helped kick off the project. The packages contained cosmetics such as tampons and sanitary napkins that would be delivered to the two schools. Over 300 kits were donated.

Vice President of Community Service Renee Fischer was one member of the board who took part of preparing the packages. She was inspired by an article she read on women who don’t have easy access. “I had read that in Africa, many girls would miss a week of school,” she said. “Because they don’t have any products or can’t afford it.” Fischer’s local Foodtown on Peninsula Boulevard gave her a $100 gift card towards tampons and pads.

“I thought it was wonderful,” said Susan Brooks, a nurse in the Lawrence school district “I think it’s wonderful that they contacted the schools because we have a great population of women in staff and students.” Brooks was responsible for accepting the donation for the district.

With so many kits donated, Brooks would split half of what she received between the district’s middle school and high school.

“They nicely prepackaged everything into little zip-lock bags,” she said. “When the girls come in, I tell them to take a whole package and they are thrilled. They keep it in their locker and it saves them time from reaching across the school to get to me.”

Although the project is in its beginning stages, Sperry hopes to attract others across the area to take part in their mission. “We’re looking to local stores,” she said. “To see if they would want to donate.”

The second “packing party” was on Feb. 14 after the Herald went to press. Freeport High and Lawrence Middle School were once again provided products.

“We would love for the community to get involved and understand that this is a problem even in our community,” Sperry said. “We can’t handle the whole state but we certainly can handle our communities.”

To donate, cash donations are accepted with the subject being National Council of Jewish Women-Peninsula Section Period.Project or by donating supplies to 342 Central Ave. in Lawrence.