SVMC Joins Project to Increase Accessibility to Menstrual Products

01:37PM / Friday, October 07, 2022Print Story | Email Story

BENNINGTON, Vt. — Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) is distributing 50,000 menstrual pads for free in partnership with local and national organizations.

"Period poverty causes physical, mental, and emotional challenges for many. SVMC is proud to join the longstanding community effort to make menstrual products more available and is grateful to both the national and local partners on this project," said Dr. Kimberley Sampson, chair of SVMC’s OB/GYN department. "By making menstrual products available for free, we are working towards creating a positive and supportive environment for menstruating people, and we are here to help them get what they need to live healthy and productive lives."

The pads have been made available through the PERIOD. organization, Walmart, and Always, a Proctor and Gamble subsidiary. The group has committed to giving out 2.5 million pads nationally to people experiencing challenges obtaining or paying for menstrual products.

The 50,000 pads allocated for Bennington are available for free to patients throughout the community thanks, in part, to a partnership with the Alliance for Community Transformations (ACT Bennington). SVMC's VISTA Fellow Sha’mar Dennison has spearheaded the effort and leads the local pad distribution.

ACT’s Take Care Project distributes period products to 10 locations throughout Bennington. Under Dennison and ACT's leadership, some of the pads will be distributed through ACT’s current channels. Others will be distributed through SVMC OB/GYN, SVMC Pediatrics, other local medical practices, and the Bennington Recreation Center/YMCA. Free menstrual products are now available at 15 locations throughout Bennington.

"A lack of menstrual products should never impact someone's ability to work, play, or go to school," said ACT Director Dare Chammings. "These resources from PERIOD., Walmart, and Always and the cooperation from SVMC and other community partners will make a significant difference as people in our community work to overcome barriers to access menstrual care items."

Period poverty is defined as inadequate access to menstrual hygiene tools and education, including sanitary products, due to income or other barriers. In a national survey of 1,000 menstruating teens, 1 in 5 struggled to afford period products and 4 in 5 either missed or knew someone who missed class time because they did not have access to period products. The problem has intensified in recent years due to the economic impacts of COVID, inflation, and a national tampon shortage. Since 2014, the PERIOD. organization has been working to eliminate the stigma of periods and address period poverty by providing menstrual products to those struggling to purchase quality period products due to their expense.

SVMC is a part of Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC).

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Companion Corner: Mace at Second Chance Animal Shelter

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
03:32PM / Saturday, March 07, 2026

ARLINGTON, Vt. — There's a dog at Second Chance Animal Shelter who is anxiously waiting to explore the world with her new family.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home.

Mace is a Plott hound, a coonhound breed, who is 3 to 4 years old. He has been at the shelter since September 2024.

Shelter manager Troy Quinn introduced us to Mace, saying he gets along with everyone.

"He was found as a stray by animal control. I think he kept getting loose on the owner, and unfortunately, they just didn't really have enough time for him," Quinn said. "They just kind of left him outside. But he's a very sweet boy. He loves everybody."

Mace would do best with someone who knows and loves hounds and how vocal they can be.

"His perfect home would be a hound lover, for sure, because they are quite vocal," he said. "You got to be used to the barking. He definitely loves walking, playing with his toys. He will go out and like bay at the woods and try to get the wildlife stirred up so he can chase it."

Because he likes to chase, he would do best without cats in the home as he finds them too fun to play with. He would also do best with a more submissive dog and older children since he can be jumpy.

He is very treat motivated and he loves to play with soft toys, making sure to tear them apart. He is eager to go on walks as well to explore.

"He loves to chew up his stuffed toys. He definitely likes being out in the woods and when there's not so much snow out. He loves walking the fields with our volunteers," Quinn said. "He does a little bit better with the no-pull harness."

He especially likes to explore wooded areas and would love someone who would do the same with him.

"He's been just a really friendly, busy boy. He loves running around that yard, but he'd much rather be out in the woods," Quin said. "Pretty typical hound dog. He's loving. He's good for the vet, little bit wiggly."

At the end of the day he loves to snuggle up to you and look outside the window. Quinn said he would do well with anyone who is willing to put in the work for him.

"Anybody that's willing to work with them if they love hounds," he said. "He really is just a sweet, energetic boy."

Mace is sponsored by the Pet Connection.

If you think Mace might be the boy for you, reach out to Second Chance Animal Shelter and learn more about him on the website.

Second Chance Animal Shelter is open Tuesday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. It is located at 1779 VT Route 7A. Contact the shelter at 802-375-2898 or info@2ndchanceanimalcenter.org.

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