A group of local students is spearheading a donation drive in honour of Menstrual Hygiene Day.
With support from the United Way Windsor-Essex Chatham-Kent, a drive-thru drop-off event is being held next Wednesday, May 28 in Chatham, collecting menstrual hygiene products for those in need in Chatham-Kent.
Menstrual Hygiene Day is a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness around menstrual health, education, access to products, and ending the stigma surrounding menstruation.
This year, the movement is gaining momentum thanks to local youth leadership. Students at Chatham-Kent Secondary School (CKSS) stepped up in a big way after learning about period poverty in their social justice class. Led by members of the CKSS Student Council — Loria Basnet, Anna Bradley, Kate Arbour, and Olivia Long — the students organized their own school-wide donation drive to support the Period Promise campaign.
“Period Promise is about dignity, equity, and ensuring everyone in our community has access to the basic products they need,” says Lorraine Goddard, CEO of United Way Windsor-Essex Chatham-Kent. “Menstrual hygiene products are essential, not optional — and this event gives our community a meaningful way to help remove the barriers too many people still face.”
Period Promise runs from 3-6pm at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church on McNaughton Avenue West, with area residents invited to drop-off pads, tampons, pantyliners, menstrual cups, and other unopened menstrual hygiene products. Monetary donations can also be made online at weareunited.com/chatham-kent.
All donations will stay in Chatham-Kent, distributed through local organizations that support individuals and families experiencing poverty, homelessness, or crisis.
To learn more about the Period Promise event and how you can contribute, visit weareunited.com/chatham-kent or contact United Way Windsor-Essex Chatham-Kent.