Tulsa Period Pantry Provides Free Period Products to 86 Schools to Fight Period Poverty

Written by Jennie Wolek

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Tulsa Period Pantry is a Tulsa, Oklahoma nonprofit organization dedicated to ending period poverty in schools by providing free period products to students across Tulsa County. Founded in 2021, the organization ensures that middle school and high school students have access to essential menstrual hygiene products so they can stay in school, focused, and confident.

We spoke with founder and Executive Director Cassie Celestain about how Tulsa Period Pantry began and why access to period products is critical for student success.

How Tulsa Period Pantry Started

Cassie Celestain, a former Tulsa teacher, saw firsthand how lack of access to menstrual products affected students. After noticing a coworker’s social media post requesting pads and tampons for students, she realized there were very few local resources addressing period poverty in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

In response, she launched Tulsa Period Pantry in 2021 to provide free menstrual hygiene products directly to schools throughout Tulsa County.

Why Free Period Products in Schools Matter

According to national data, 1 in 4 girls in the United States miss school due to lack of access to period products. This issue, known as period poverty, affects students in every community, including Tulsa.
Without access to menstrual hygiene products, students may:

Wear products longer than recommended
Use makeshift items such as socks or paper towels
Skip school entirely during their period

Missing school because of period poverty can lead to falling behind academically, decreased participation, and an increased risk of dropping out. By providing free pads, tampons, and menstrual supplies in school bathrooms, Tulsa Period Pantry removes a critical barrier to education.

How Tulsa Period Pantry Supports Schools in Tulsa County

Tulsa Period Pantry supplies schools with a discreet, easy-to-access system designed to protect student privacy and dignity.

Each participating school receives a three-drawer container stocked with:

Menstrual pads (sizes 1–5)
Tampons (light, regular, super)
Panty liners
Take-home pouches for weekends and school breaks

These containers are placed directly inside school restrooms, ensuring students can access free period products privately and without asking permission.

Rapid Growth Across Tulsa County Schools

What began as a small grassroots effort has grown into a county-wide initiative. Today, Tulsa Period Pantry serves 86 schools across Tulsa County, with additional schools currently on a waitlist.

The nonprofit continues to expand its reach to ensure that every student in Tulsa has reliable access to menstrual hygiene products.