Photo supplied.
Picture are members of the Millbrook Food Share team Lori Lazaros, Deb Holmes, David Beeby and Glen Spurrell collecting donations dropped off at the Millbrook branch of the CM Libraries.
A Period Purse donation drive ran from October 27th through November 10th throughout the Township of Cavan Monaghan. The objective of this drive was to raise awareness about the importance of eliminating period poverty while collecting donations of hygiene products for those in need. I’m happy to share that the donation drive was successful beyond our expectations. I continue to be grateful and filled with pride to live in a community that consistently shows up to support those who are vulnerable and in need of help.
With the support of Blank Canvas Art and Hair Studio, Cavan Monaghan Libraries and The Township of Cavan Monaghan we received upwards of 80 product donations, including new underwear, pads, tampons and period cups (ideal option for those experiencing homelessness). These donations amounted to over 2,000 individual items which would provide a healthy period for 57 people – research shows it takes approximately 35 items to provide one person with a healthy period. These donations were split between the Millbrook Food Share and Crossroads Shelter (YWCA Peterborough) to provide support to those in the community who need it the most.
We can continue to work together towards ensuring that those who experience period poverty will have access to the necessary supports needed to participate fully in society by removing barriers. We can be a leader in solving this problem by being informed, by giving to those in need and by advocating for change to local government by encouraging them to endorse making period products available at no cost.
Change is in motion as the Canada Labour Code recently mandated that as of December 15, 2023 “federally regulated employers will be required to make menstrual products available to workers at no cost while they are in the workplace. That means putting pads and tampons in washrooms (or another space controlled by the employer) so that any worker who needs them while on the job has access. This initiative is inclusive of all workers who menstruate, and it will improve the well-being of nearly half a million workers who may require menstrual products during their workdays, including cisgender women, non-binary individuals, transgender men, and intersex individuals. These workers would no longer have to turn to unsuitable solutions, such as extending the use of menstrual products beyond the recommended time frame or avoiding work altogether.”
Thank you to everyone who contributed, shared the details of the campaign and to those who provided space for donations and promoted this initiative. Your generosity and kindness will have a positive impact on someone’s life. Stayed tuned for next year when we will be back to do this again!
By Leslie Bilcox
