TOWNSEND — Students at North Middlesex Regional Middle and High Schools will be provided access to free menstrual products, thanks to state grant funding procured by the District.
Supervisor of Health Services Cathryn Hampson applied for funding through a state grant program administered by Free, an organization dedicated to advocating for free menstrual supplies in all school bathrooms throughout Massachusetts. The Commonwealth provided a $500,000 grant through a Fiscal Year 2025 budget amendment, and asked Free to administer the grants since the organization already had a system in place for ordering and delivering the supplies.
As a result, the District has received 30,000 tampons and pads to distribute to middle and high school students free of charge, saving the District significant costs it would otherwise have to spend to procure the supplies.
Having a steady supply of products available to students in the bathrooms also allows students to spend more time in the classroom, rather than going to the nurse’s office to get products.
The School Committee voted to accept the grant during a meeting on Monday, Jan. 13.
“This grant will provide extreme value for our District, providing students with easy access to products while allowing us to allocate further funds into other areas that benefit our schools,” said Superintendent Morgan. “Grants like these help to level the playing field by providing all students equitable access to hygiene products during the school day. I would like to thank Cathryn Hampson for securing this funding, which increases student access to fundamental resources.”
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