Macon group helps make menstrual products accessible to all

Paula Del Rio and a team of volunteers are working to end period poverty in Macon — one menstrual product at a time.

Macon Periods Easier is a local nonprofit organization founded by seven women in 2019 with the aim of combating period poverty, which is the economic struggle faced by individuals who can’t afford tampons, pads, underwear liners and related supplies.

“The way I think about menstruation and period products is the same way I think about toilet paper,” said Del Rio, one of the nonprofit’s co-founders and a current board member. “It’s just a basic need; it’s a bodily function.”

Del Rio hosted her first “period party” in her home when a group of friends packed bags of period products to donate. From there, Macon Periods Easier was born.

What began as a small gathering of community members grew into a larger operation serving local libraries, food pantries and Bibb County schools.

The organization helped Macon-Bibb County become the first municipality in the state to provide free menstrual products in all county public bathrooms in August 2024. The group also spreads awareness about period poverty through partnerships with local recreation centers and summer camps. 

Its efforts are fueled solely by volunteers, and the organization relies on donations from businesses and community members.

This year, Macon Periods Easier gave away 35,000 pads, 18,000 tampons and 45,000 liners to those in need. Additionally, the organization donated hygiene wipes, underwear and prepacked period bags to give out at local events.

Two-thirds of the organization’s donations go to the county’s public schools, Del Rio said.

Period poverty contributes to school absenteeism, meaning some students won’t go to school if they don’t have access to these products. Some people blame the parents if they can’t afford supplies for their children, she noted.

“It’s about $20 a month to supply a menstruating person,” she said. “If you have two or three kids and a wife, that’s a lot of money.”

Del Rio said she fulfills order requests from school counselors, teachers, social workers and nurses. A standard Macon Periods Easier box costs $120 and contains reusable bags, 264 pads, 136 tampons, liners and wipes.

She keeps track of orders and delivers boxes to a procurement center. From there, the products are delivered to schools.

Del Rio and her team of volunteers deliver donations to other community spaces by themselves. Board member Sabrina Hom works in Milledgeville and delivers menstrual products to Baldwin County, one of the few places outside of Macon the organization serves.

“I would fill up my little sedan with as much product as I could to make sure that the kids in Baldwin had what they needed,” she said.

Maconites might be familiar with Macon Periods Easier fundraisers, including the annual Witches Float on the Ocmulgee River. This year’s event was held earlier this month.

This fall also marks the organization’s fourth fundraiser dance. Usually billed as an adult prom, Hom said this year’s event will be themed as a “homecoming dance” and will be held at The Overlook on First in downtown Macon.

The fundraiser is meant to be an “upscale” dance event for those looking for a nice night out without breaking the bank, said Hom.

Macon Bagels and Sweet Eleanor’s will cater the event, which will feature a DJ, the crowning of a “royal,” and a silent auction of items and gifts donated from local businesses like stARTup Studios, Shuster’s Candy & Creamery, and Fanboy Collectibles & Comics.

Proceeds will go toward the group’s mission of providing menstrual products to those in need and educating people about period poverty.

“Nobody should have to face that shame and stigma and expense without help if they need it,” Hom said.

For more information or to find a link to purchase dance tickets, visit the organization’s Facebook page at facebook.com/maconperiodseasier.