The Governor and First Lady Shapiro are committed to ensuring all students have the necessary tools to succeed in the classroom, which is why he proposed $3 million in last year’s budget to provide free menstrual products for students in K-12 schools.

Governor Shapiro’s budget proposal this year continues this investment to ensure that Pennsylvania schools can continue to provide these basic hygiene necessities for students.

Tunkhannock, PA – First Lady Lori Shapiro visited Tunkhannock Area High School to highlight how the Tunkhannock Area School District supports their students by offering free menstrual products in school restrooms through their “Code Red” program. First Lady Shapiro met with students, faculty, staff, and administrators to discuss the importance of the program and learn more about student needs.  

“Menstrual products are essential for students’ health and dignity, yet too many young people across the Commonwealth face uncertainty about access during the school day,” said First Lady Shapiro. “It’s inspiring to see schools like Tunkhannock Area School District stepping up to support their students by providing free period products. With state funding now dedicated to this need for the first time, we are ensuring that no student has to miss out on learning because of a lack of access to basic necessities.”

The ”Code Red” program was initially launched as a student project, when students in Katie Wisnosky’s high school English class were asked to identify a problem in their community and provide a solution. The program collected donations and sources funds from community grants to provide menstrual products at no cost to students.

This year, Tunkhannock Area School District will use state funding to continue this program, and stock products in the middle school for the first time ever.

Governor Shapiro is committed to ensuring that students have the necessary tools to succeed in the classroom, which is why he secured $3 million in his 2024 budget to provide free menstrual products for students in K-12 schools. In his 2025 budget proposal, he called for another $3 million to continue providing these products at no-cost for students.

"I firmly believe in support not stigma which has always been at the heart of our Code Red initiatives," said Katie Wisnosky, Tunkhannock Area High School English teacher and facilitator of the school's Code Red Program. "Governor and First Lady Shapiro's advocacy for free period products reinforce this mission by cultivating inclusivity and empowering our young people. Due to the Governor’s generous funding, I did not have to request donations of supplies through social media this year or write grants to stock our bathrooms. As a teacher, I am thankful for any support which helps our teenagers break harmful taboos and normalize conversations about menstruation. I am grateful for their compassion for our students and their understanding that period products should be readily available as a basic necessity."

“The Governor’s Advisory Commission on Next Generation Engagement is encouraged to see school districts like Tunkhannock Area SD taking steps to provide free period products for their students,” said Ruby Mundok, Executive Director, Governor Shapiro’s Advisory Commission on Next Generation Engagement. “With support from state funding, initiatives like Tunkhannock’s program will ensure that all students have the resources they need to focus on their education without barriers to basic hygiene.”

This is an issue First Lady Shapiro has engaged on directly, visiting nonprofits that work to distribute feminine hygiene products in communities, and inviting stakeholders to the Governor's Residence. She has also heard directly from young women about the importance of access to these products.  

Read more about the Governor’s 2025 budget proposal here.