Three Woolworth stores on the Central Coast have partnered with the charity Share the Dignity to help collect sanitary item donations which will go to those experiencing period poverty in the region.
In-store collection boxes will be located at Woolworths Erina, Gosford and Lisarow for the month of August.
Woolworths will also be giving five cents of every sale of pads, tampons and liners towards funding more Dignity vending machines which dispense free sanitary items to women experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or facing difficult circumstances.
The biannual initiative, Dignity Drive, collected 12,000 period products during the last drive in March.
But there is a need to increase this number this month, after the charity recorded a 54 per cent increase in charities registering for the August drive.
As a result of the economic and financial impacts of COVID-19, more women and girls around the Central Coast and NSW cannot afford simple sanitary products such as pads and tampons.
The effects of the pandemic have been felt by many across the community and Volunteer State Leader NSW, Leanne Pitt-Barile, explained that women and girls dealing with period insecurity were not an exception.
“COVID-19 continues to have a profound impact on communities across Australia, and it’s so important that we come together to help those in need during these difficult times,” Pitt-Barile said.
“Through no fault of their own, more women and girls in Gosford are not going to be able to afford basic essentials and will have to resort to toilet paper, socks or washers to deal with their period.
“Each donation is so valuable to us and will go towards supporting the lives of women across NSW.”
Woolworths has been a partner with the charity since early 2019 and Tim Burr, Group Manager of Woolworths Erina, Gosford and Lisarow, praised the local community for their effort in giving to the cause.
“We’re always amazed by the generosity of our customers and the support they show for our Dignity Drives.
“At a time when community support and kindness is more important than ever, we are incredibly proud to be partnering with Share the Dignity for the August Dignity Drive,” Burr said.
Jacinta Counihan