Affordable Menstrual Products Up North

Nov. 15, 2025

Northwestern Michigan College health science student Zinnia Burks wants to understand the prevalence of “period poverty”—or the inability to afford or access menstrual products and education—here in northern Michigan. Burks is spearheading a survey that has thus far found that more than 17 percent of respondents say they do not have access to a sufficient amount of sanitary menstrual products and that more than 14 percent have had to choose between purchasing period products versus other necessities in the last year. “So far, it is clear that period products being supplied by food pantries and in public/school/work restrooms makes a significant impact for many women in our region,” Burks says. If you are 18+, live in northern Michigan, and have had a menstrual period in the last year, you can complete the survey at smartsurvey.com/s/periodmichigan through Dec. 31.