Newcastle businesses and community organisations are accepting donations for this month’s Dignity Drive, seeking to support those in need and put an end to period poverty.
Organised by national charity Share the Dignity, the Dignity Drive collects menstrual product donations during March to give to people in need.
Locations in Newcastle accepting donations include the offices of State Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp, Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon, State Member for Charlestown Jodie Harrison and State Member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery.
Crakanthorp said it was an important initiative to support and urged the local community to get involved.
“We’re all feeling the rise in the cost of living at the moment, but this is hitting some people harder than others,” Crakanthorp said.
“Sanitary items are necessities, not luxuries, and donating to this drive is a small gesture that can make a big difference to someone in need.”
Founder of Share the Dignity, Rochelle Courtenay, said that while a magnitude of donations had been received, they were still in desperate need of support.
This year, 30 registered charities have requested 3,265 products, but only 950 products have been collected from 64 registered collection points.
“We have seen quite a slow uptake this March campaign, and we suspect it’s due to all that is going on across the country and world right now,” Courtenay said.
“Last year, we had 35 charities request 4037 products, and we were blessed enough to collect 6862 products.
“Menstruating isn’t a choice, but those experiencing period poverty often have to choose between purchasing period products or other essential items just to get by.”
Courtenay said they were on a mission to ensure all who menstruated had access to period products when they needed them.
The drive accepts all products in original packaging, including pads, tampons, maternity pads, period undies, menstrual cups and incontinence products.
Share the Dignity’s bi-annual Dignity Drive is an initiative delivered in partnership with Woolworths and is currently in its fourth year running.
Since the charity was founded in 2015, it has donated over 3 million period products to those who menstruate.
Courtenay said the support of Woolworths stores across the country had been essential in the fight to end period poverty.
“When I first started Share the Dignity, I wanted to forever change the way that people walked the sanitary aisles,” she said.
“Woolworths has played a significant role in this, in breaking down the shame and stigma surrounding periods, and in ensuring that no women or girl goes without the basic essentials.”
Courtenay said that when people were struggling financially, pads and tampons were often the first to be taken off the shopping list.
“We’ve heard so many stories of mothers who have chosen to go without so they can buy pads for their daughter, or university students having to choose between filling up their car or buying tampons,” Courtenay said.
“So, when shopping at your local Woolworths this month, please consider adding an extra pack to your trolley for someone who may be doing it tough.”
Supporters can drop off donations at all local Woolworths stores and a number of nominated businesses nationwide until the end of March.
Alternatively, community members can purchase a virtual pack of pads for $5 via the Share the Dignity website or locate donation drop off points via Share the Dignity’s virtual map.
Maia O’Connor