What’s in Our Red CartS? A Look Inside Our Program

Period poverty is real—and it’s growing.

That’s why the Kindness Closet created the Red Cart Project, a simple, impactful program that is now in 28 schools across Iredell County, reaching over 10,000 students. Our goal? Eliminate period poverty in schools and make sure that no student ever has to miss class—or compromise their health or dignity—because they lack access to period products.

What’s a Red Cart?

Our model is beautifully simple: We purchase a rolling craft cart, fill it with period products, and place it directly in school bathrooms so that students can access them quickly, privately, and without shame.

Here’s how we stock it:

• Top Shelf: Loose pads, ready for quick use during the school day.

• Bottom Shelves: Blue grab-and-go bags, each containing 5 pads. These are meant for students to take home and share—with moms, sisters, or anyone else in their household who needs them.

Because the truth is, period poverty doesn’t stop at the school door. And we want our Red Carts to support the entire family.

Why It Matters

According to a Washington Street Journal article, sales of period products have declined—not because people don’t need them, but because they’ve become too expensive. That’s a scary reality, especially when you consider that periods don’t pause for inflation.

When people can’t afford pads or tampons, they resort to unsafe substitutes:

Using them for too long, reusing products, or turning to items like socks, paper towels, or even plastic bags. These dangerous alternatives can lead to serious health risks, including infections and toxic shock syndrome.

Removing Barriers, Restoring Dignity

At the Kindness Closet, we believe that a simple pad can be a powerful tool—one that removes barriers to learning, living, and thriving.

Our Red Cart Project is about more than just hygiene products. It’s about equity, health, and hope. It’s about telling every student: You are seen, you are supported, and you deserve access to the basics.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this growing program. Together, we’re not just distributing pads—we’re distributing dignity.