If you happen to come across a BC Transit bus full of menstrual products this weekend, there’s a good reason why.
This Saturday, you can help local people in need by bringing unopened boxes of pads, tampons, diva cups and other menstrual product or make a cash donation to the United Way’s Period Promise.
The event collects products and donations for individuals who are experiencing homelessness or people living in poverty who may have difficulty accessing hygiene necessities.
“If you’re living in poverty – or vulnerable in other ways – access to products can be challenging,” says United Way. “For people living on the street – it’s even more challenging. No-one should have to choose between feeding themselves and affording basic hygiene needs.”
While filling up a BC Transit bus may seem like a lofty goal, it’s certainly achievable through the generosity of Victorians.
Last year, the Period Promise collected over 66,000 items, and in 2018, 33,000 – including pads, tampons, diva cups, and more – meaning that many more women and youth in the CRD had access to supplies.
This year, United Way is hoping to collect even more, with a goal of 100,000 individual items collected!
The United Way’s Period Promise campaign hopes to mobilize public opinion about “period poverty.”
Local governments, like the City of Victoria, school boards across B.C., the labour sector, like BC Federation of Labour and Canadian Labour Congress, Pacific Region, have all taken a period promise to provide menstrual products for free in their facilities, just like they supply toilet paper.
Products collected will be distributed to United Way funded agencies. This product collection drive is supported by BC Transit, Hillside Centre, and United Way Greater Victoria and their labour committee.
Donations can be made this Saturday, March 7th, at Hillside Shopping Centre in their parking lot on North Dairy Road.
Let’s fill that bus, Victoria!
Period Promise – Fill the bus
- When: Saturday, March 7th, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Where: Hillside Shopping Centre – Hillside Centre parking lot, North Dairy Road and Wordsworth Street
