Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools awarded $5,000 to buy period products for students

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools received a $5,000 grant from the state to purchase feminine hygiene products for students.

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction issues grants every year to help districts pay for supplies like tampons and pads.

WS/FCS Director of School Nurses Katie Key says those items are typically purchased by the district, individual schools or donated by community groups. But they often run out.

Key hopes this grant will ensure that any student who needs these products will have access to them. 

“Sometimes students don't have the supplies at home. Sometimes they forget them," Key said. "Sometimes you know, they don't know that they're going to need them, and then they end up needing them at school.”

Without access to period products, Key says students may face stressful situations at school or avoid class altogether. She plans to have supplies ordered and available in the district in the next two months. 

Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.