Due to ongoing health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Alliance for Period Supplies’ third national summit is shifting to an online platform, and going virtual, under the new name U.S. Conference on Poverty and Basic Needs. The conference is scheduled for October 21 – 23, 2020.

“NDBN began work to restructure the two annual gatherings in order to unify our network of diaper bank and period supply programs following the 2019 Diaper Banks in America Conference and National Summit on Period Poverty held last fall in Cincinnati,” said Susan Van Ness, chief of programs. “The new name reflects the successful progress of our movement and the expanded involvement of stakeholders outside the basic needs bank membership, including local, state and national advocates and supporters.”

The focus on poverty and basic needs offers the opportunity for leaders of diaper banks and period supply programs to meet together and share academic research, participate in educational workshops, and gain inspiration from nationally recognized keynote speakers in a format applicable to both nonprofit models. The new format builds upon the professionalism and offer the benefits that attendees have come to expect from NDBN-led programs.

The conference will distinct, yet complementary tracts:

• Day 1 – Wednesday, October 21, 2020, will focus on issues related ending period poverty in the US, including new research, policy and advocacy efforts, and program development for new and ongoing period distribution programs.
• Day 2 – Thursday, October 22, 2020, will focus on anti-poverty work and the role that basic needs banks play in ensuring that individuals, children and families have access to the basic necessities they require to thrive and reach their full potential. Workshops will address governance and leadership, operations and logistics for basic needs banks, as well as fundraising and financial matters, and advocacy and outreach.
• Day 3 – Friday, October 23, 2020, will examine issues related to ending diaper need, with discussion ranging from diaper need assessment and establish a new program, to measuring the impact of diaper banks on the communities they and how to leverage greater support for addressing unmet diaper need.

The goal of the conference is to provide a collaborative, interactive educational space for attendees to learn from and engage with other professionals. Individuals session will feature a Q&A to allow attendees to ask questions in real-time and small group video rooms for networking happy hours to allow face-to-face screen time with one another. NDBN and Alliance for Period Supplies plans to provide all paid attendees with access to streaming all recorded sessions of the educational content following the event.