All Options receives first donation of disposable period underwear

Indiana is one of more than 20 states with a sales tax on women’s period supplies, according to the Alliance For Period Supplies.

The sales tax on period supplies varies across states. The tax rate in Indiana is seven percent — higher than Kentucky’s six percent or Wisconsin’s five.

All Options Pregnancy Resource Center tries to make period supplies more accessible. 

Jessica Marchbank is the state programs director for All Options Pregnancy Resource Center. She said it provides period supplies to anyone who comes to Bloomington’s site. 

But for most of this calendar year, they’ve had no tampons. All Options got a grant for tampons in early 2023 but ran out in just a few months.

"They're definitely the number one request," she said.

All Options is receiving its first-ever donation of disposable period underwear this week. Marchbank said it has received donations of reusable period underwear in the past. 

“Reusable products like those kind of assume a certain level of privilege, like running water, or access to a washer and dryer," Marchbank said. "So I'm really excited about the disposable ones."

Marchbank said they still have pads, and most of the people who come in for period supplies also use All Options’ free diaper program. 

On average, a box of tampons costs about seven dollars in Indiana. As of September, 24 states had eliminated sales tax on period products. Texas is the most recent, in September.