The Arizona Diaper Bank distributed over 220,000 menstrual hygiene products in 2023 and could distribute even more this year.
The diaper bank has been giving out period products since 2018.
Catherine Demotica is the program and volunteer manager at the Tucson location, where she’s interacted with clients who have driven over an hour to get supplies they struggle to afford.
"This lady, she had her child, and she was just so grateful — literal tears in her eyes. And was just so grateful and thankful and couldn’t stop thanking me," Demotica said.
During Period Poverty Awareness week, the diaper bank and other organizations are drawing attention to the so-called “pink tax,” the idea that products marketed towards women tend to cost more than similar products for men. Arizona is one of 20 states that charge a sales tax on period products.
