June 16, 2026

Local Volunteers Help Fight Period Poverty

One in four girls misses school due to a lack of access to period products. Local Volunteers Part of the Solution

Blue Flame 47 staff and volunteers have been supporting the Tulsa Period Pantry Foundation, which is marking five years of serving Tulsa County and expanding programs across the entire county.

The non-profit serves 85 schools and youth programs, including Tulsa Public Schools, Glenpool, Collinsville, Tulsa City County Library, and Tulsa Tech.

In 2025, Tulsa Period Pantry distributed over 158,000 products and received support from 343 volunteers.

Thanks to volunteers and donations from local groups such as Blue Flame 47, more than 55,000 female students are receiving free menstrual products.

“We are honored to play a small role in volunteering and donating supplies to support a great cause,” says Pastor Shari Norvell with Blue Flame 47.

On June 13, Pastor Norvell brought her granddaughter and a group of about 12 staff members and volunteers to organize and sort period products at Tulsa Period Pantry. The group will continue volunteering at the organization.

Volunteers work year-round, and once school resumes in August, Tulsa Period Pantry hopes to provide support at the three remaining school districts in Tulsa County not yet in the program.

Tulsa Period Pantry started when its president and founder, Cassie Celestain, a former teacher, saw a fellow teacher’s urgent request for period supplies for her students.

Celestain learned there was a need community-wide and kicked off the first product drive in May 2021.

Tulsa Period Pantry was declared a non-profit, with 501(c) (3) tax-exempt status granted in February of 2023.

Celestain says she understands the impact of lacking necessities on a student’s education and life.

What started as a grassroots product drive for one school has become a community-wide cause.

“I truly believe we are making a lifelong impact on these students’ lives,” says Celestain.

These are items being collected:

  • Pads of all sizes
  • Tampons of all sizes
  • Liners (individually wrapped)
  • Menstrual discs
  • Menstrual cups
  • Period panties
  • Reusable pads
  • Makeup bags (new or gently used)

Volunteer opportunities are available monthly through packing and collecting supplies. There are also opportunities to partner as a donation drop-off site. Learn how to support at tulsaperiodpantry.org/getinvolved.