Local United Way hosts second annual ‘Tampon Tuesday’ drive
After the tremendous success of last year’s Tampon Tuesday drive, the United Way is again asking for period product donations during their second annual event.
Over 45,000 hygiene products were donated last year, and distributed to agencies and individuals in need in the community, the United Way said in a release dated Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021.
The organization went on to say they are excited to partner with Bell Media, national Tampon Tuesday partner, local Labour partners, Egg Farmers of Ontario and Shoppers Drug Mart for the second annual Tampon Tuesday collection drive in the region.
From March 2 until March 16, 2021, community members are encouraged to donate pads, tampons, liners and other menstrual hygiene products. The drive aims to fill the gap for those in the KFL&A region in need of such products, and there are a number of different ways those in the community can help out.
“We know that menstrual hygiene products are among the most requested items at local food banks and shelters, but the least donated,” said Bhavana Varma, President and CEO of United Way KFL&A. “There are individuals who are vulnerable, with diverse needs when it comes to menstrual hygiene in our community, and many are eager to help – this is an opportunity to do just that.”
With the ongoing pandemic, a Tampon Tuesday event isn’t possible this year, but the United Way says group collections are encouraged.
“Workplaces, neighbourhoods, families, individuals – everyone is encouraged to get involved and start their own drives for this important need in our community and then drop off at the collection sites,” added Varma. “The pandemic has made these needs even more prevalent and every donation helps.”
Donations will be collected at the following locations:
- United Way KFL&A office, 417 Bagot Street (back entrance): Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Secura Financial, 1375 Gardiners Road: Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Shoppers Drug Mart locations in Napanee, Amherstview and throughout Kingston – look for donation box
Products can also be donated through an Amazon wishlist and monetary donations can be made online. Community members can contact the United Way KFL&A office at 613.542.2674 or at [email protected] if none of the above options or locations work, and a pickup or drop off can be arranged.
Following the donation drive, products will be sorted by volunteers and distributed to various agencies in the community including:
- Boys & Girls Club,
- Dawn House,
- Elizabeth Fry Society of Kingston,
- Girls Inc,
- HIV/AIDS Regional Services + Mobile Unit,
- Home Base Housing – One Roof,
- Rise 149,
- In From the Cold,
- KCHC Pathways to Education,
- KHSC Detox,
- Kingston Interval House,
- Kingston Youth Shelter,
- L&A Interval House,
- Lunch by George,
- Maltby Centre,
- Martha’s Table,
- Partners in Mission Food Bank,
- Resolve Counselling Centres,
- Rural Frontenac Community Services,
- Southern Frontenac – Food Bank,
- Street Health, and
- St. Vincent de Paul Society
For more information and resources visit https://www.unitedwaykfla.ca/tampontuesday
About Tampon Tuesday
Started in London Ontario, the grassroots movement began in 2009 after Mandi Fields toured a local foodbank and discovered an empty shelf in the non-food cupboard. Knowing the cost of these items, and their importance to women’s health and dignity, she felt the need could not continue to be overlooked and came up with a plan to provide a solution.
Tampon Tuesdays continue to grow as an opportunity to collect products for people experiencing period poverty.
In 2017 United Way Centraide’s Labour Programs and Services joined forces with Tampon Tuesday, and Bell Media to begin holding events to help people across Canada.
In 2020, United Way KFL&A initiated the first Tampon Tuesday drive in this community, partnering with workplaces, Bell Media, local labour partners, Queen’s University for a Tampon Tuesday donation drive and event.