Period Promise Northumberland is calling on our community to help raise products this May in celebration of Menstrual Hygiene Day.
From May 13 to June 3, Northumberland County residents are asked to donate menstrual hygiene products, make a financial donation, or organize their own Period Promise collection campaign to help individuals, families, and non-profit organizations who struggle to afford these products each month. Donations can be dropped off at one of our partner locations: Nurturing Health Naturopathic Clinic, Nourish Boutique Spa, Cobourg Public Library, David’s No Frills, Salvation Army in Port Hope, RE/MAX Quinte Ltd. In Brighton, YMCA Northumberland, or Northumberland United Way.
“Periods are a fact of life but if you’re living in poverty or vulnerable in other ways, access to necessary menstrual products can be challenging,” says Bobbie Dawson, CEO, Northumberland United Way. “Not only do we collect and distribute products, we also advocate for equitable access to menstrual products in our community. This year, we’re asking community members to anonymously share how period poverty impacts their lives in order to get a better understanding of menstruation and period poverty in Northumberland County.”
This is a completely confidential, community survey that aims to understand period poverty locally, the data collected will be used to form a report on menstruation and equitable access to menstrual products in Northumberland County. To complete the survey, please visit: https://bit.ly/PPNCommunitySurvey.
Now in its third year in Northumberland County, Period Promise launched on Menstrual Hygiene Day celebrated globally as a day of action to end period poverty and period stigma.
How can you get involved?
- Donate product at one of the drop-off locations
- Make a financial donation. You can donate online at periodpromisenorthumberland.ca
- Complete the Menstruation in the Community survey
- Run a collection campaign. Contact Maggie at mdarling@nuw.unitedway.ca
- Are you a business owner? Sign our agreement and commit to offering products for free in your washrooms
- Celebrate Menstrual Hygiene Day on Saturday, May 28
- Pledge your support
- Continue the conversation around period poverty
“We are proud to be a partner of Period Promise Northumberland. Advocating for people who menstruate, connecting them to resources, and removing financial barriers are important parts of our work,” says Nicole Beatty, Community Coordinator for Thrive Northumberland. “Through the Thrive Coalition, we are able to support over 20 agencies through the distribution of product as well as making them available at our weekly drop-in centre for survivors and victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and other types of abuse.”
The Period Promise campaign, a local partnership of Northumberland United Way and Thrive Northumberland, aims to address the issue of period poverty in the community while advocating for social change. This year, more than 12,000 products were supplied to individuals, families, and non-profits locally, making an incredible difference in the lives of people who do not have access to the products they need.
For additional information, please contact Maggie at mdarling@nuw.unitedway.ca or visit www.periodpromisenorthumberland.ca. To learn more about World Menstrual Hygiene Day, visit https://menstrualhygieneday.org/.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
