Maiden Lane Medical has launched a comprehensive menstrual product donation program to address the growing crisis of period poverty affecting thousands of women across New York City. The initiative, which began November 24, 2024, transforms unused menstrual products into vital resources for women experiencing homelessness and financial hardship.
The program, developed and led by Dr. Rachel Barr, creates a sustainable donation system by collecting unopened pads and tampons from patients who no longer need them following hysterectomy procedures, menopause, or changes in product preferences. These donated items will be distributed directly to local homeless shelters where demand for menstrual products remains critically high.
Period poverty, defined as limited or inadequate access to menstrual products due to financial constraints, affects nearly one in four students in the United States according to recent studies. The lack of access to these essential items forces many women to miss work, school, or medical appointments, perpetuating cycles of poverty and compromising their health and dignity.
"Many of our patients find themselves with surplus menstrual products after certain medical procedures or life transitions, while simultaneously, countless women in our community struggle to afford these basic necessities," said Cathy Selca, Patient Services Coordinator at Maiden Lane Medical. "This program creates a meaningful bridge between those who have resources they no longer need and those facing genuine hardship."
The medical practice has established donation drop-off locations across all seven of its facilities throughout New York City and Brooklyn. Patients and community members can bring unopened menstrual products to any location during regular business hours. The participating locations include the Downtown office at 90 Maiden Lane, the Midtown location at 18 East 41st Street, the Bay Ridge facility at 7206 Narrows Avenue in Brooklyn, the SoHo Gynecology office at 415 West Broadway, the Upper East Side location at 110 East 60th Street, the Park Slope office at 503 5th Avenue in Brooklyn, and the Walk-In Gynecology & Women's Care center at 222 East 34th Street.
The initiative addresses a critical gap in period poverty resources by creating a consistent supply chain of menstrual products for vulnerable populations. Research indicates that 39 percent of teens report being unable to perform their best schoolwork due to lack of access to period products, while nearly 60 percent feel personally affected by negative associations with menstruation.
Patients scheduled for postoperative visits are encouraged to bring any unused products during their appointments, though donations are accepted at any time. The program operates on an ongoing basis with no predetermined end date, ensuring continuous support for women in need.
Maiden Lane Medical specializes in comprehensive women's healthcare services, including gynecology, obstetrics, minimally invasive surgery, and walk-in care. The practice maintains board-certified physicians across multiple specialties and operates as an ACR-accredited facility with fellowship-trained radiologists. Through this donation initiative, the organization extends its commitment to women's health beyond clinical care to address broader social determinants affecting patient wellbeing.
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For more information about Maiden Lane Medical Walk-In Gynecology, contact the company here:
Maiden Lane Medical Walk-In Gynecology
Cathy Selca
(646) 290-9560
cselca@maidenlanemedical.com
222 E 34th St, New York, NY 10016
