BEDFORD — Pace Community Action Agency, Inc. has announced the launch of its 6th Annual Pad and Tampon Drive, taking place throughout August and September. The initiative aims to collect menstrual care products to distribute to local schools, ensuring students maintain uninterrupted access to essential hygiene supplies.
Menstrual products remain a basic health necessity, yet period poverty continues to affect families across the region. The average menstruating individual uses more than 10,000 products in a lifetime—a recurring cost that creates a financial strain for many households. Furthermore, Indiana remains among the states charging full sales tax on these items, unlike roughly 30 other states that have eliminated the tax.
The lack of access directly impacts both education and the workforce.
“We sometimes forget there are impacts to not having access to menstrual products,” said Pace CEO Tai Blythe. “Of those experiencing period poverty, about 1 in 3 female students miss school due to not having access to pads or tampons. Over 40% of working women also report their ability to attend work has been impacted. The Pad and Tampon Drive is our way of raising awareness and meeting community needs.”
How to Get Involved
Pace is inviting community members, businesses, and local organizations to support the drive through several avenues:
- Product Donations: Unopened items—including disposable and reusable pads, tampons, panty liners, period underwear, menstrual cups, and discs—can be dropped off at any Health Connection clinic site. Locations can be found at www.pacecaa.org/health-connection.
- Online Wish Lists: Donors can order products online to ship directly to regional clinics via Amazon Wish Lists for Knox County, Lawrence County, Vigo County, and Daviess County.
- Monetary Contributions: Financial gifts allow Pace to purchase products in bulk. Direct donations can be made online at secure.qgiv.com/for/padtampondrive2026 or submitted via cash or check.
- Host a Drive: Businesses, civic groups, and local organizations are encouraged to organize internal donation drives. Pace staff will coordinate product pickups at the end of September.
To organize a collection drive or coordinate large donations, contact Melissa Mouzin-Bennett, Health Connection Manager, at MMouzin-Bennett@pacecaa.org or call 812-882-7927 ext. 1224.
For additional information about Health Connection services and upcoming initiatives, visit www.pacecaa.org/health-connection.
