Freebeck said Simply The Basics receives regular donations from tampon makers. A couple of months ago, though, manufacturers started warning her of month-long delays for shipments. Simply The Basics has gone into its emergency surplus to keep distributing supplies to tens of thousands of homeless and low-income recipients, as well as nonprofit partners.
“When we commit to supplying them with so much, and we’re not able to, it really has a big impact on them,” she said.
Freebeck worries a long-term shortage will lead to a public health crisis since not having the proper tools to manage one’s period can impact other areas of life. Nearly 1 in 5 American girls reported missed school because they didn’t have access to period products, according to a 2018 survey from Always, a major tampon brand.
“If people don't have access to these, they are not able to maintain employment. They're not able to continue going to school, and they start doing tactics that are not healthy,” she said. “What we're trying to prevent is a health crisis for people that don't have other options.”