Young Mothers' Study Club's newest initiative is to supply local schools with discrete pouches of menstrual hygiene products for students.

Obtaining feminine hygiene products discreetly as an adolescent in school has always been a scary thing for self-conscious students.

With prices for these items rising, one in four U.S. students cannot afford hygiene products.

Teachers who may have been providing them for students out of their pockets have become less realistic on a meager salary.

Tina Andersen, mother of a middle school student and the Young Mothers Study Club president, saw a post about sending discrete hygiene bags to school with students for the fall.

“I know a lot of teachers that provide tampons and pads for students, but they shouldn’t have to do that,” said Andersen.

She then went to her club and proposed making it a community project.

The YMSC began a drive to collect donations of small pouches, pads, tampons, stain-removing cloths, deodorant, heat patches, extra underwear, and sanitizer.

School social worker Erica Bailey said of the initiative, “I know many girls ask the staff for these items daily. ..I will gladly help distribute them.”

Earlier this year, Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed a $3 million investment in public schools to provide period products at no cost to students.

In the meantime, YMSC will support schools with these small pouches, which will make a big impact.

Questions about the Period Pouch Project can be directed to the Young Mothers Study Club at YMSCwarren@gmail.com.