Secular Humanists of the Lowcountry (SHL) has been awarded more than $1,000 by the American Humanist Association (AHA) to support a hands-on community service event as part of the American Empathy Project, a national day of action on May 2, 2026. Humanist organizations across the country will participate to demonstrate that care and dignity are core human values.
One in four women and girls cannot afford menstrual products, and many miss school or work as a result. Period products are ineligible for purchase with SNAP or WIC benefits and are rarely donated to food banks, creating a persistent gap in access. The period packs assembled May 2 will help address that gap for hundreds of local students.
In the Lowcountry, SHL will partner with Lowcountry Period Pixies to host a packing event, assembling more than 250 period packs for students in Charleston, Berkeley and Dorchester counties. Each pack will contain pads, liners and wipes. Community volunteers are welcome to participate.
Event details
- What: Period Pack Packing Party
- When: Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
- Where: Charleston County Main Library, 68 Calhoun St., Charleston, SC
- Who: Open to all community volunteers
“We’re humanists — and we believe care beats cruelty every time. This grant from the American Humanist Association gives us the resources to put those values into action, right here in Charleston,” said Bonnie Cleaveland, vice president of Secular Humanists of the Lowcountry.
About Secular Humanists of the Lowcountry
Secular Humanists of the Lowcountry promotes a nontheistic, human-centered viewpoint as a contribution to public discourse, provides mutual aid and defends the First Amendment principle of separation of church and state.
About the American Humanist Association
The American Humanist Association advocates for the rights and well-being of humanists and works to advance progressive values grounded in reason and compassion. The organization’s American Empathy Project brings together humanist chapters nationwide for coordinated days of community action.
About Lowcountry Period Pixies
Founded in 2018, Lowcountry Period Pixies is a volunteer-run, donation-based nonprofit whose mission is to ensure that every menstruator is afforded dignity by providing period products, education and advocacy throughout the Lowcountry.