Share the Dignity is an Australian charity which works to help disadvantaged people, particularly women. The #Dignity Drive focuses on providing sanitary items so that 'No woman should suffer the indignity of choosing between eating or buying sanitary items.'
The Goods and Services Tax has (finally) been removed from sanitary products but they are still not cheap. When the flyer below landed in my letter box I was very glad to help.
McCann's (a local real estate agent) is acting as a collection agent. When I took my contributions down I was thrilled to see that they had a great collection (and was told that it was the second or third time they had taken their collection in to the organisers in my city.
The impact of COVID-19 has meant that even more women are having to make the choice between buying food or sanitary items, with Share the Dignity reporting a 54% increase in charities registering Dignity Drive, when compared to their last drive.
The Dignity Drive will run across all Woolworths Supermarkets
and Metro stores nationally, giving customers the opportunity to donate
sanitary items via collection boxes. These will then be distributed to
girls and women who cannot afford to buy sanitary items. Other businesses are also acting as collection points.
In addition, Woolworths will donate five cents from the sale of pads, tampons and liners in to Share the Dignity, to help the charity fund more dignity vending machines that dispense free sanitary items to women experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or are facing difficult circumstances.
While Share the Dignity is an Australian charity the need still exists across the world. Perhaps there is something similar near you.
I do hope that my Australian readers will be able to donate some items to this wonderful and sadly needed drive.
A choice like that is just wrong.
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: So very wrong.
DeleteYes to this - I'd add a toothbrush to the list!
ReplyDeleteCharlotte (MotherOwl): This charity runs other drives throughout the year where we are asked to fill a gently used bag with essential items (and some small luxuries). I always include a toothbrush, soap and shampoo in that donation. Isn't it frightening that the things that so many of us take for granted are in short supply?
DeleteWhen I think of you I think of dignity, sharing, and friendship. Thank you dear.
ReplyDeleteCloudia: Thank you - what a lovely way to be remembered.
DeleteI look forward to the day when these products are free. Meanwhile...
ReplyDeleteMarie Smith: I wish. How I wish. My admittedly sexist self also wonders whether they would have been free long ago if it was men who menstruated.
DeleteWhat a fantastic charity. And no woman should have to make that choice.
ReplyDeleteLL Cool Joe: It is a brilliant initiative and a choice that no women SHOULD have to make.
DeleteHi Sue: I know that there are various initiatives of this nature here, but not so centralized and organized as yours appears to be. I do the shopping in our house and while I regularly contribute both food items and cash to the food bank, I must say that I have never even thought of sanitary products. Shame on me. I will get this rectified right away.
ReplyDeleteDavid M. Gascoigne: Thank you.
DeleteThat they ever had GST on them was I believe a disgraceful act by former PM Howard.
ReplyDeleteAndrew Scott: You are right and it took far too long before that omission was rectified. Far, far too long.
DeleteI will check my local Woolworths to see if they have a collection box. I'm astonished, as I always have been, that the cost of these items is too high. Manufacturers know we need them so they see $$$ signs with every packet. Just like toilet paper, a necessary item that gets used once and thrown away, but we must have it, so again $$$ (and loss of trees, but I think they use specifically planted plantation trees, which is slightly better than cutting down rainforests)
ReplyDeleteRiver: When I was collecting for this drive I was looking for menstrual cups - which aren't throw away items. I didn't find them. Which says a lot.
DeleteOur women group occasionally support women shelters with sanitary products and hygiene products but since Covid, our meetings have been curtailed and we have not been participating in these practices.. It's a great cause and should be supported. I'm glad that the tax has been removed of these products in your country... It's a necessary product as much as food is.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Julia
Julia: It is a tax which should never have been imposed. You are so very right about the necessity. And thank you for helping when you can.
DeleteGood program!
ReplyDeleteSusan Kane: It is an excellent program.
DeleteIt is a good program.
ReplyDeleteCool you still have Woolworths there. They died here ages ago.
Alex J. Cavanaugh: Woolworths is one of our biggest supermarkets and I am glad that they are supporting the program. Goodness knows that they make enough money out of these essential items.
DeleteBefore Covid, when I worked at a food bank, people would often call and ask what we needed and what they could contribute. I always told them that we were always in need of personal products. It is not something one would think of when donating to a food bank but like toilet paper, a necessity.
ReplyDeleteStarting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: Isn't it sad that people so urgently need personal products (which I agree are essentials). Thank you for your work at the food bank.
DeleteThis is an excellent program!!! A+++ Big Hugs!
ReplyDeleteMagic Love Crow: Excellent - and badly needed.
DeleteLaurie: I am glad to hear that your city has a similar program (and unsurprised that you contribute).
ReplyDeleteEs una buena causa.El covid ha hecho mucho daño en la economía de las personas. Te mando un beso
ReplyDeleteJ.P. Alexander: It is an excellent cause and sadly was need before Covid - and will be needed after the pandemic is gone too. Thank you.
DeleteYou've reminded me that when such items do turn up at the food pantry charity (which accepts food, paper products, cleaning products, and sanitary items), they don't last long.
ReplyDeleteMaybe we need to focus on this more here, although i'm not sure how to get that to happen.
messymimi: Good luck - I suspect that every food pantry needs to be more aware of this need.
DeleteGreat idea. In Tasmania from Term 3 they are going to be free in every Public High School for the girls.
ReplyDeleteMargaret D: I am glad to hear that school girls are going to be covered but worry for older women.
DeleteIt's really noble activity. A charity activity in Australia that raises funds to help women with sanitary supplies. Hopefully more and more women around the world can get the convenience of sanitary equipment assistance from charities in their respective countries. In our country, the underprivileged people receive direct assistance from the government in the form of food staples every month, to ease the economy of the community during the Covid pandemic.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice week
Regards.
Justcherry: I wish that our government provided food staples each month - though they do provide income support.
DeleteI hope that you have a wonderful week too.
I think food pantries all over the world are running low.
ReplyDeleteMike: You could well be right - and sadly the supply of sanitary items is likely to be even lower.
DeleteWe donate as much as possible too. x
ReplyDeleteaussie aNNie: It is a great cause to support isn't it?
DeleteI'm glad you called attention to this very worthy cause. Here in the states, many of our children are hungry and in need. Food banks have been overwhelmed and put to the test. However, I didn't realize the food banks needed sanitary supplies. Several years ago, I donated a huge box of supplies to the battered women's shelter. I filled the box with deodorants, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, and other personal products. I never ONCE thought of sanitary supplies. I'm SO glad you opened my eyes to this needed cause. Thank you, dear.
ReplyDeleteBleubeard and Elizabeth: It is shocking how much we take for granted isn't it? And access to sanitary products is one of those things that I don't think about until I am reminded.
DeleteDear EC
ReplyDeleteThis is such an important cause and I agree, one that there should be no need for. I will see if there is anything similar around here.
You are an inspiration!
Best wishes
Ellie
Ellie Foster: I believe (though I could be wrong) that school girls in your country are covered. But what about their older sisters, mothers, aunts...
DeleteThat is a brilliant cause and so desperately needed in all countries. Washable pads are also needed especially in Africa where girlchildren can't go to school during menstruation. It is appalling.
ReplyDeleteWell done for publicizing this EC!
XO
WWW
Wisewebwoman: Appalling sums it up well doesn't it? Such a basic need, which is unmet far too often including in our affluent countries.
DeleteThis is a wonderful mission. Here a couple fo the women's shelter and generic food pantries stock supplies for women. I try to add them to my shopping list regularly to donate to our local pantry.
ReplyDeleteAnne in the kitchen: Thank you on behalf of the women/families you help.
DeleteHi EC - excellent ... thank you for contributing - such a necessary female product. I've seen the cups advertised as required for Indian women ... but I've never seen them or looked for them here.
ReplyDeleteI've just looked for cups ... and seen that sea-sponges are another alternative ... not seen those either.
I hope the 'drive' raises a lot for the cause.
Have a peaceful weekend ... Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: I asked about cups at the local pharmacy. One staff member hadn't heard of them. Another had, but the pharmacy didn't stock them. My dander is up now and I will keep looking. And no, I hadn't seen sea sponges either.
DeleteI hope your weekend is healthy, happy and lovely.
I guess we need to be educated about 'cups' and then the word and acceptance will grow. Similarly sea-sponges - I'm pleased you now know about them.
DeleteI hope that rain isn't deluging you and just giving the garden a good drink ... you too enjoy the weekend - Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: Speaking for myself I need to be educated about so many things. I will try and track cups (and perhaps sponges) down for the next drive.
DeleteIt is (finally) raining here, but our rain is still in the welcome category - which is certainly not true in much of the neighbouring state. My heart goes out to the affected.
What a wonderful cause!
ReplyDeleteHena Tayeb: It is - and how I wish it wasn't necessary.
DeleteThere are girls in this country--especially on reservations--who miss school every month because they have no access to the supplies they need, or access is limited to a gas station shop with exorbitant prices. It's appalling.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Janie Junebug: It is an appalling indictment of our culture's priorities isn't it? Hiss and spit.
DeleteA very important cause....
ReplyDeleteLee: It is, and how I wish it was totally unnecessary.
DeleteBuon fine settimana.
ReplyDeleteGiancarlo: Thank you. And to you.
DeleteI think it's a wonderful cause to contribute to...and yes, sad that it's needed but good there are people to help.
ReplyDeletemail4rosey: I wish that Government and big business would step in on this one. My cynical self wonders whether all sanitary items would have been made free if it was men who menstruated.
DeleteHi EC - yes I'm sure that's true ... H
DeleteI had a hysterectomy but still recall how expensive those products were. The state of Oregon is considering several bills about feminine products. I don't know what the bills address but I think one is something about jail and prison, giving women the right to have these products in those places regardless of if they can pay, which should be a no brainer.
ReplyDeleteStrayer: They are expensive aren't they? Which is so very wrong. And yes, I agree with you on the 'no-brainer' front. I hope that bill goes through. Without debate.
DeleteI don't recall seeing that particular charity around here, but it's certainly a worthwhile one. What's a woman to do?
ReplyDeleteYOU take special care.
Have a weekend filled with energy and good health.
Hugs
Sandra Cox: Some of the stories about what women do do are horrifying. And there is definitely no dignity in them.
DeleteYou take care too please.
I'm always so thrilled to see that you share these drives that are going on to help those in need. Sanitary or hygiene items may seem like a small thing to many, but it's a huge thing to so many others in need. Thanks so much for always thinking of others. Hugs, RO
ReplyDeleteRO: We were brought up to believe that we had an obligation to contribute to the community. A lesson I am very glad that we had. Look after yourself - and hugs to you too.
DeleteLa pandemia ha agravado la situación de las familias más vulnerables y además abundan los casos de familias sin recursos, ya que el paro ha ido en aumento.
ReplyDeleteA+
VENTANA DE FOTO: You are right. Sadly many women struggled before the pandemic hit and more struggle now.
DeleteIn the past our small church congregation supported the food bank with canned goods and volunteer hours. During the pandemic we older folks were obliged to stay home and wondered how best to spend our modest financial donations. We were told of the great need for adult diapers and feminine hygiene products, so that's what we've been 'underwriting' and shall continue to do so. (And as always, we put our extra quarters on top of those vending machines!)
ReplyDeleteBeth Waltz: Welcome - and thank you for your continuing support of others.
DeleteWhat an excellent cause. I hope it catches on everywhere - it's much needed.
ReplyDeleteDiane Henders: It is much needed. How I wish it wasn't.
DeleteThanks for spreading the word about this important charity. I am glad the tax has been taken off- but the items should be free to women. Instead, they are very expensive. For the first time this past year, it is possible here to use your health savings account to buy female products. Doesn't help everyone though.
ReplyDeleteHope the charity is able to help everyone who needs it. :)
~Jess
DMS ~Jess: I am really glad that this charity exists - and equally sad that it is needed.
Delete