Pad Pantry
The YWCA Carlisle & Cumberland County Pad Pantry seeks to increase accessibility of menstrual products.
Dignity Through Period Products
At our core, we believe in the power of dignity. Every individual, regardless of circumstance, deserves access to essential menstrual products. Our mission is to break down barriers, ensuring that no one faces the indignity of inadequate supplies. We strive to empower, uplift, and restore dignity—one period at a time.
Pad Pantry
Pad Pantry is our initiative to provide free period products to those in need. We offer a space where anyone can access these essentials without questions or judgment. Beyond just hygiene, we recognize that menstrual products are a fundamental aspect of holistic well-being. The project extends its support to local school bathrooms, ensuring that students can navigate their school days confidently.
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Visit our office at 301 G Street, Carlisle, PA 17013, between 8:30 - 4:30 Monday through Thursday and 8:30-3:00 on Friday.
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Our Pantry always needs more products! Donate products, run a drive, or purchase directly from our Amazon Wish list!
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Want to make a difference and help make menstrual products more accessible? Reach out to our office to learn how you can make a difference.
Period Poverty
Period Poverty is the inadequate access to menstrual products, safe sanitation, and menstrual hygiene education. Millions of women in the United States are affected by period poverty; thousands in Cumberland County are affected.
1 in 7
Women and Girls ages 12 to 44 are at high risk for period poverty.
1 in 4
School-aged teens report struggling to afford period products.
1 in 3
Women experiencing period poverty miss work and school.
How can I help?
Whether you wish to donate or are looking for ways to volunteer, we have options for you.
I want to donate
I want to organize a drive
Continue down this page to learn more.
Pad Pantry Drive Toolkit
We are excited to host a product drive with you! The products we collect during this drive are accessible to everyone, no questions asked. Together, we can put Period Products in the hands of those who need them most!
Let’s get started!
Location, Location, Location!
For a drive to be effective, we need to choose a location where people are. Offices, schools, grocery stores, and local businesses are fantastic locations. Be sure to get permission from business owners, managers, and/or principals.
Promote your Pad Pantry Drive
Spread the Word: Post flyers on social media, in newsletters, and in businesses to let community members know the drive is happening! Tag us on Facebook and Instagram.
An example of a social media post is:
We’re holding a drive for @YWCACarlisleCumberlandCounty’s Pad Pantry! This project is dedicated to ensuring equitable access to menstrual products in Cumberland County. We will be accepting donations of Pads, Tampons, and other hygiene products from [Start Date] to [End Date] to help support this project! Find our donation locations at [Location]. All donations will be delivered to YWCA Carlisle & Cumberland County.
Most Commonly Needed Items
Pads
Tampons
Shampoo (full size and trial size)
Conditioner (full size and trial size)
Deodorant (full size and trial size)
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste (full size and trial size)
Body Soap (full size and trial size)
Getting Your Donations to YWCA
Congratulations! You’ve completed a product drive! Now that your drive has wrapped up, it’s time to deliver them to the Pad Pantry. Visit the YWCA Carlisle & Cumberland office during our regular hours, and a staff member will be at the front desk to assist you.
Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday 8:30 - 4:30
Friday 8:30 - 3:00
Last Step: Finishing Touches
Conclude your drive by thanking everyone who donated and sharing the results of their generosity. Photos are a fantastic opportunity to show everyone how many products were donated. Capture a photo of the donated products, by themselves, with you, or with the staff at YWCA. Share the photo on social media, or attach it to an email to thank everyone for their help!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Both types of donations play vital roles! Product donations allow us to provide immediate assistance to those in need. Monetary donations, on the other hand, enable us to order additional items and cover operational costs, ensuring sustained support.
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All types are welcome, as long as they are individually wrapped. Most requested are non-scented products. Whether it’s disposable pads, tampons, washable cloth pads, or menstrual cups, we appreciate them all.
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Certainly! We accept opened packages, provided the products are individually wrapped. Please secure them in plastic bags, clearly labeled with the product type and quantity.
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Fantastic! Whether you’re an individual or an organization, you can help support the Pad Pantry. To kickstart the process, email the project manager at info@ywcacarlisle.org with any inquiries.
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We do not accept used washable or reusable products.