In 2020, Maanya Pandey was a 15-year-old student at Waukee High School when she founded Love For Red. Today, she is majoring in Public Health on the Pre-Medicine track at the University of Iowa and continues to serve as President of Love for Red, which has operations in Des Moines and Iowa City.

Love For Red is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that strives to uplift the people crushed by the hardships of period poverty. They believe feeling clean and having dignity on your period should not be a privilege only some can enjoy. Providing menstrual products to those unable to purchase the necessities ensures that people can live with dignity while on their period, no matter where they live.

Maanya had read of the limited quantity of menstrual products available to women in prison and heard stories from women who had struggled due to accessibility. She researched and discovered the problem of “period poverty” defined by the American Medical Women’s Association as “inadequate access to menstrual hygiene tools and education, including but not limited to sanitary products, washing facilities, and waste management.”

A survey in Obstetrics & Gynecology of low-income women in St. Louis found that nearly two-thirds couldn’t afford menstrual hygiene products during the previous year, and 20% of women had this problem every month. They made do with socks, rags, tissues, toilet paper, diapers, paper towels from public bathrooms, and even cardboard because they couldn’t afford pads or tampons. Some regularly had to decide whether to purchase food or menstrual products.

Learn more about Love For Red at https://www.loveforred.org/.

Contributions can be made at https://givebutter.com/LoveForRedDonation

Testimonials: “Urban Dreams has been partnering with Love for Red and accepting donations to give to our community for over two and a half years! We are grateful that we can help be able to ensure that ANYONE and EVERYONE has access to what they need, because menstrual products are not a luxury; they are a necessity. THANK YOU Love for Red for your service, education, and advocacy in this matter, and thank you for letting us be a part of it.” RACHEL MANNA, URBAN DREAMS

“Our Homeless Support Services department received a generous donation of pads and tampons to distribute to people experiencing homelessness. The donation has made a huge difference in the lives of the people we serve and making sure they are treated with dignity and respect. The process of working with Love For Red was so easy, and they were eager to assist our clients!” JORIE HIDRI, PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

“We formed a partnership with Love For Red during the 2023-2024 school year. We have been overwhelmed by the amazing support this organization has provided to our students and families. East has over 2,000 students – many of whom are from low-income families. We worked together to create product bins that are restocked monthly in our girls’ restrooms. By having products readily available for use in our bathrooms, we have reduced the time wasted coming down to the office for supplies. We’ve also engaged several students to volunteer for this important cause and raise awareness in the school about period poverty. We are so grateful for Love For Red!!” MADELINE CANO COOK, EAST HIGH SCHOOL – DES MOINES