Discover how co-warehousing for nonprofits helped Access Period grow, save time, and boost impact with the support of Elevator’s shared warehouse space and logistics support.
member-experience | 2025-08-07
When running a nonprofit on a tight budget, it’s easy to get buried in logistics. For Kristin Lowrey, founder of Access Period, this was reality—until she found Elevator, a co-warehousing community designed for growth-minded organizations. What started in her garage is now a statewide movement making a real impact.
✅ Co-Warehousing gave Access Period the flexibility and legitimacy it needed to grow their operations.
✅ Having on-demand access to warehouse space helped reduce logistical stress and save time.
✅ Community support from other Elevator members fostered mentorship, connection, and collaboration.
Kristin Lowrey didn’t set out to start a nonprofit. While working with a program for former foster youth, she saw a recurring gap—there were never enough menstrual products. Donors were giving what they could, but it wasn’t meeting demand. Other nonprofits she contacted echoed the same message: menstrual products are too expensive and too complex to consistently provide.
That’s when Access Period was born. Instead of treating period poverty as a side issue, Kristin made it her central mission. And it turns out, she wasn’t alone. “For every person in need in Nebraska, there’s someone willing to help,” she explained.
Access Period focuses on four areas people often lack:
✔️ Period products
✔️ Hygiene facilities
✔️ Waste management
✔️ Education
Each of these barriers contributes to missed school, lost workdays, and tough choices—like using diapers or cardboard when supplies run out. “People deserve so much better,” Kristin shared.
Through statewide pickup locations, school partnerships, and nonprofit distribution, Access Period has scaled efforts while preserving dignity for those they serve.
Running a supply-focused nonprofit without a warehouse is a logistical nightmare. Before Elevator, Kristin had to:
📦 Store products in her garage and basement
🚚 Transport items back and forth constantly
🗓️ Schedule pickups with over 60 partners herself
“I could fit almost half a pallet in my car—no one should have to find that out the hard way,” she joked.
Every hour spent juggling storage logistics was time taken away from serving people. The need for a better solution became undeniable.
That solution came in the form of Elevator—an innovative co-warehousing space. At first, it seemed out of reach. “I thought, there’s no way we can make this work,” Kristin recalled. But after touring the facility, she realized the bigger obstacle was not moving in.
Elevator allowed Access Period to:
✅ Offer flexible pickup times to nonprofit partners
✅ Mail supplies from a central location
✅ Stop relying on personal space for storage
✅ Provide a professional setting to meet donors and stakeholders
“We just did a partner survey,” Kristin noted, “and all of them said being able to pick up products at Elevator anytime makes all the difference.”
It’s more than just square footage. At Elevator, Kristin gained:
🚚 On-demand loading dock and shipping support
🤝 Supportive staff who handle deliveries when she’s away
😌 Peace of mind knowing operations don’t stop if she’s not onsite
She calls Elevator her “third staff member” and she means it.
“Being surrounded by over 100 businesses and nonprofits is incredible,” she added. “It’s like being in a dorm—people pop by your door, and you learn from each other.”
Mentors like Angie Miller from Dibs for Kids, and legal guidance from Dave Pantos, became part of her day-to-day network. Those hallway conversations turned into problem-solving opportunities.
Before Elevator, Kristin dreaded one common question from funders: Where do you office out of?
Saying “my house” often raised doubts. Moving into a professional space added instant credibility and opened new doors.
Elevator didn’t just provide storage—it elevated the perception of Access Period as a serious, scalable nonprofit.
Thanks to the efficiency and support of co-warehousing, Kristin now imagines Access Period owning its own warehouse in the future.
“Now I know what we’d need—what equipment, how to run it. Before Elevator, that was impossible to picture,” she said.
She believes growth comes from taking risks. Moving to Elevator felt uncertain at first, but it paid off quickly. And having trust in the people behind it made the leap feel safer.
“I knew Emiliano, co-founder of Elevator, had a nonprofit background. I trusted he wouldn’t put me in a risky spot.”
Elevator didn’t just store boxes—it gave Access Period the breathing room to grow. Co-Warehousing for nonprofits isn’t just a trendy idea. When done right, it solves real problems, builds real relationships, and opens the door to long-term impact.
If you're running a nonprofit and struggling with logistics, consider the calculated leap. Access Period’s story proves that the right space can change everything.
Ready to stop juggling logistics and start scaling your business? Schedule a tour today and see how Elevator Co-Warehousing can help you grow smarter, faster, and with less hassle in 2025 and beyond.
Want to hear Kristin’s story in her own words?
Watch the full Access Period member experience interview on our YouTube channel and see how co-warehousing helped their non-profit and mission grow across Nebraska.
Click here to watch the full interview on our YouTube channel.
Co-warehousing provides shared warehouse space and logistics support for nonprofits and small businesses. It reduces costs while offering professional amenities and flexible workspace solutions for businesses of any kind.
Elevator gave Access Period the space, legitimacy, and support needed to manage operations, expand distribution, and improve partner satisfaction.
They offer free menstrual products through statewide pickup points, nonprofit partners, and schools. Their mission is to eliminate period poverty through access, education, and dignity.
Visit accessperiod.com or follow them on Instagram at @accessperiod to donate or stay updated.