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United Way aims to stop ‘period poverty’ with new campaign

Menstrual products will be collected to May 28
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(Contributed image).

Periods don’t stop for pandemics — so the United Way is pledging to help women who can’t afford menstrual products.

Since COVID-19-related job losses has made purchasing menstrual products more difficult for many women, a United Way campaign was started to help stock menstrual products at central Alberta agencies.

The United Way’s 2021 Period Promise campaign is underway with local partners Soroptimist International of Central Alberta, Grand & Toy, Tampax and Always.

Until May 28, central Albertans can giving cash donations, period products, or organize their own “Period Promise campaign” for community distribution.

“Joining United Way’s Period Promise campaign is one way you can help build healthier, more caring and inclusive communities, where nobody has to choose between buying food or products that make it possible to stay connected to their community,” said Brett Speight, United Way Central Alberta CEO.

One woman reported, “When I can’t afford enough menstrual products, I can’t go out. I was unable to go to the food bank or to a casual job (I’m disabled) because I bled for two weeks and didn’t have enough pads.”

The United Way’s community partners indicated there’s an increase in demand for free menstrual products at their organizations. The Period Promise campaign aims to fill the gap.

For additional information, visit caunitedway.ca/periodpromise.