Rising prices cause tampon shortage in Michigan

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) – Many women in Michigan find themselves lacking access to menstrual health products because of their financial situation amid rising prices. Local non-profits are working to provide the products many of us take for granted, but they’re experiencing a shortage of tampons.

As prices for everyday essentials increase, the availability of menstrual products is becoming a pressing issue. Market researchers say prices of tampons in the US have jumped 36% in the past five years.

Organizations like Helping Women Period and Punks with Lunch are feeling the strain.

“The first time I bought 500 tampons in bulk it was about $45 and it’s now about $76 a case,” said Lysne Tait, the Executive Director of Helping Women Period. “It just keeps going up and we don’t really have the money to buy tampons right now.”

Helping Women Period is dedicated to providing free menstrual products to low-income and unhoused people.

“Last year we distributed over 2 million products, pads and tampons,” Tait said. “This year we just don’t have the money to buy more tampons’.’

Punks with Lunch, another local non-profit organization, relies heavily on Helping Women Period for their supplies.

“If they’re stocked and succeeding, so are we,” said Julia Miller, the director of Punks with Lunch.

When Miller was making her supply request, she noticed that Helping Women Period was running “extremely low” on tampons.

“So I decided to make a post and ask for help,” she said.

She asked the community to make donations and since then both groups have received dozens of boxes.

“We have received over $200 in donations and then Strange Matter stepped up and said we’ll gather any if you want to give them to us,” said Tait.

Strange Matter Coffee, located on Michigan Ave. in Lansing did their part as well. Until August 11th, they are offering free drinks to anyone who donates tampons.

“It’s great that the community has stepped up to get us through this shortage,” Miller said.

“It’s really pleasing to see that everybody is making Lansing a better place for people who menstruate,” added Tait.

For more information on how to help, you can visit helpingwomenperiod.org.

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