United Way BC is hoping to receive 700,000 donated period products for its annual campaign to match the previous record.
United Way BC, which covers the Interior, Lower Mainland and Central and Northern Vancouver Island, will launch its annual Period Promise campaign on May 16 with the goal of addressing period poverty.
According to research by the group, half of all people who menstruate in B.C. are affected by period poverty in their lifetime. Period poverty is defined as a lack of access to period products or facilities to use them.
READ MORE: Half of people who menstruate in B.C. affected by period poverty in lifetime: report
In a release, United Way BC notes that period products have always been pricey, and Statistics Canada’s Consumer Price Index shows the cost of personal care items like pads and tampons has increased by 6.8 per cent in B.C. in one year.
The 2022 Period Campaign set a record with over 700,000 period products donated and the United Way BC hopes to match or beat that number this year.
“Raising awareness about menstrual equity through the Period Promise campaign is vital to many people in our communities. Our campaign works to ensure communities from across our region receive period product and grants to purchase further supplies,” said Julie Rushton, community impact manager for Central and Northern Vancouver Island with United Way British Columbia.
“Giving to this campaign means we are able to increase access across our region and reduce the costs of period products for everyone.”
The campaign runs from May 16 to June 13, culminating in a Period Promise Collection Drive on Tuesday, June 13 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 327 Prideaux Street, Nanaimo.
A list of drop-off locations can be found on the United Way BC’s website.
This is in addition to the campaign of the same name kicked off at the beginning of March by the United Way Southern Vancouver Island.
READ MORE: Campaign launches to address period poverty on South Vancouver Island
Laura Brougham
