This post explains a community-led effort in Jacksonville to distribute reproductive health emergency preparedness kits at the Really Really Free Market on Saturday, October 4.
As a public-interest scientist with 30 years of experience in community resilience and health planning, I’ll outline the who, what, where and why of this initiative and explain why sexual and reproductive health must be part of hurricane and disaster readiness.
Why reproductive health belongs in disaster planning
Disaster preparedness traditionally emphasizes food, water, batteries and shelter.
Yet sexual and reproductive health needs — from menstrual supplies to contraception and pregnancy testing — are frequently overlooked despite being essential to dignity, health and safety during emergencies.
Hurricanes and other extreme weather events routinely disrupt access to pharmacies, clinics and supply chains, creating gaps that can have immediate and long-term consequences for women and gender-diverse people.
Addressing these gaps reduces stress, prevents health complications and supports faster recovery.
What organizers are doing in Jacksonville
On Saturday, October 4, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Center for Biological Diversity, Jax Period Pantry and Rebel Recovery will distribute free reproductive health emergency preparedness kits at the Really Really Free Market in Memorial Park, 1620 Riverside Avenue, Jacksonville.
This is a pragmatic, community-driven action that recognizes how local mutual aid bolsters formal emergency response by meeting immediate needs and building trust within neighborhoods.
What’s inside the emergency preparedness kits
The contents of these kits are chosen to fill the short-term gaps that often arise after storms when people cannot reach a pharmacy or clinic.
Providing basic items ahead of time helps individuals maintain health and privacy under difficult conditions.
Core items included
Each kit contains:
These items support contraception, menstrual health, pregnancy awareness and safer sexual practices — all critical during displacement or infrastructure outages.
Voices from the field: why this matters
Kelley Dennings of the Center for Biological Diversity emphasizes that hurricanes can make it impossible to access family planning and menstrual supplies.
Nicole Rodriguez of Rebel Recovery notes that providing these items fosters resilience and community well-being during crises.
Both observations underscore an important policy gap: emergency management frameworks and preparedness checklists rarely mention sexual and reproductive health, even though climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of weather-related disruptions.
How this connects to broader resilience goals
Distributing kits at community events like the Really Really Free Market raises awareness and normalizes the inclusion of sexual health in disaster conversations.
It also highlights the powerful role of mutual aid: neighbors supporting neighbors can be faster, more culturally appropriate and more trusted than top-down responses.
Advocates stress that climate change disproportionately impacts women and gender-diverse people, and that preparedness must be inclusive to be effective.
How you can prepare and support
If you live in hurricane-prone areas, consider including reproductive health items in your emergency stockpile.
Support local groups like Jax Period Pantry and Rebel Recovery.
Volunteer at distributions or donate supplies.
Here is the source article for this story: Reproductive Health Emergency Kits To Be Distributed Saturday At Jacksonville Really Really Free Market