February 23, 2023 By Carol Britton Meyer
The “Free.” (Free, period) volunteer-led and staffed ministry at St. John the Evangelist Parish has distributed nearly 500,000 feminine hygiene products to those in need in the past two years — 45 percent of them organic and free from chemicals in 2022.
There are no federal benefit programs to cover this cost, placing a burden on girls and women who are forced to miss school or work during their periods.
Founder Kenzie Blackwell recently shared the good news that Free. was offered a large donation from Kotex — 91,000 products — through the Alliance for Period Supplies, with one catch.
“We were required to have a warehouse to receive shipment,” Blackwell told the Hingham Anchor. “Given we are a small organization, climate-controlled self-storage is how we keep our donations secure.”
Hingham Moving Services (Keith Orlandella and Caitlin Slodden) came to the rescue, offering the use of part of their warehouse after Blackwell shared Free.’s dilemma with Orlandella. “Without missing a beat, he said yes to accepting delivery for us and storing this massive shipment,” she said.
This donation will provide a full month of product security for more than 4,000 neighbors on the South Shore.
“Our program has grown at such a pace that in our January distribution alone, we delivered more than 76,000 products,” Blackwell said, noting that the generosity of Hingham Moving Services will help keep parents at work and kids in school.
Free. works with community partners to provide feminine hygiene products to those in need, including Wellspring Multi-Service Center, Interfaith Social Services, Soldiers Care Packages, and several South Shore and a number of Brockton area schools, among others.
Last Friday, Blackwell and others involved with Free. gathered at St. John’s to celebrate Orlandella’s and Slodden’s generosity.
“St. John’s started this program [to combat period poverty], not knowing where it would lead or how it would grow,” Blackwell said. “It has become something quite special in our community, with volunteers all over the South Shore and from many faith traditions. All are welcome to be part of Free.!”
For further information or to make a donation, visit https://www.freeperiodministry.org/