On Thursday, Nov. 5, 2021, Greater Lansing Food Bank welcomed Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as she signed a bill repealing tax on essential menstrual products in Michigan. The reform removes the tax on feminine hygiene products. Alongside Gov. Whitmer was Michelle Lantz, CEO of Greater Lansing Food Bank, Lysne Tait, executive director of Helping Women Period, and Sen. Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids).
“The burden of this sales tax on necessary healthcare items promotes period poverty and impacts the amount of money families have to spend on other necessities,” executive director of Helping Women Period, Lysne Tait said. “This is a step in the right direction, and I look forward to the day when no one has to worry about affording menstrual products, month after month.”
Helping Women Period is a nonprofit that supplies menstrual health products to people homeless or low-income. Greater Lansing Food Bank and Helping Women Period have been in partnership over the years to help distribute to those need of the products.