You made our Back-to-School Campaign a success!

Thanks to your support, our 2025 Back-to-School campaign will help students learn with dignity across Massachusetts.

With the $25,025 you raised, Dignity Matters will provide a full year of free menstrual care to 835 students at 48 public middle and high schools and 11 community colleges. These supplies will help students manage their period safely at school, at home, and during after-school activities and sports. Instead of worrying about bleeding through their clothes at school, they’ll be able to learn and thrive in the classroom and beyond.

Period supplies are as essential to learning as pencils and books, but they are out of reach for thousands of students living in poverty. Menstrual products aren’t covered by SNAP/Food Stamps, WIC, or any other benefit programs, and Massachusetts does not require that period care be available in public schools.

As a result, 1 in 4 students experiencing poverty and homelessness miss class during their period. They fall behind, struggle to graduate, and have fewer opportunities to earn a living wage and support their families.

And thanks to your support for our Back-to-School campaign, 835 students won’t have to experience that hardship this year. You are breaking down a barrier that stands between them and their education, and ensuring they have the resources to reach their full potential.

With your help, these students will have more opportunities to follow their dreams, support their families, and give back to their community.  From all of us at Dignity Matters—and from these incredible students who can now learn and thrive with dignity—thank you.

Read more about how Dignity Matters supports students across Massachusetts:

Period supplies ARE school supplies! We don’t expect students to learn without pencils or books, and we shouldn’t expect them to learn during their period without menstrual care. It also helps them participate in sports and afterschool activities, which increase their likelihood of school success and graduation.

Dignity At School supports 940 students experiencing hunger and homelessness at 48 public middle and high schools in areas affected by high rates of poverty, including:

Low-income students can attend community college for free in Massachusetts – but period poverty still limits educational opportunities for talented young adults seeking a path out of poverty. 21% of these students are single mothers, and most juggle at least one job and caring for their families while enrolled.

Dignity On Campus supports 1,100 students affected by poverty and homelessness at 11 community college and public universities including:

Every item Dignity Matters provides to students in need is donated by our community or purchased with your generous financial support. Thank you!