GOLDSBORO, N.C. — A Wayne County-based nonprofit organization is broadening its mission to address period poverty by partnering with Johnston County Public Schools to provide free menstrual products across all district schools during the upcoming academic year.
Period Kits NC announced this week that it will supply menstrual care products to all 48 schools in the Johnston County Public School system for the 2025-2026 school year. The expansion represents a significant growth in the Goldsboro-based organization’s efforts to eliminate barriers that prevent students from attending school due to lack of access to essential hygiene products.
According to national statistics, period poverty affects nearly one in four students across the United States, often resulting in missed classroom time and educational disruption. The nonprofit’s initiative aims to address this issue by ensuring students have immediate access to necessary menstrual products without financial burden or stigma.
“We’re proud to serve our home community in Wayne County and now extend that support to students in Johnston County,” said Emie Clevenger, Executive Director and Founder of Period Kits NC. “Every student deserves to focus on learning, not worrying about access to basic needs.”
Each participating school will receive supply kits containing essential menstrual care items, designed to be readily available when students need them. The program emphasizes discretion and accessibility, removing potential embarrassment or stress associated with requesting such products.
Period Kits NC has built its operations around assembling and distributing thousands of supply kits annually through collaborative partnerships with educational institutions, community organizations, and local agencies throughout the region.
The organization continues to seek community support through product donations, financial contributions, and volunteer assistance with kit assembly. Interested Wayne County residents can learn more about supporting the initiative by visiting the organization’s website at periodkitsnc.org.
Founded on the principle that access to menstrual products is fundamentally about “Health & Dignity, PERIOD,” the nonprofit focuses on eliminating period poverty through direct product distribution, community outreach, and educational programming.
The Johnston County expansion demonstrates the organization’s growing impact in addressing what advocates describe as a critical but often overlooked barrier to educational equity in North Carolina communities.
Contact Information: Emie Clevenger, Executive Director and Founder Period Kits NC Phone: 619-701-0060 Email: [email protected] Website: periodkitsnc.org
