Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Friday 19 March 2021

#Dignity Drive

 

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.
 
It is a great cause, and shouldn't be necessary.  Sadly it is. 

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.    

 

76 comments:

  1. A choice like that is just wrong.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yes to this - I'd add a toothbrush to the list!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Charlotte (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?

      Delete
  3. When I think of you I think of dignity, sharing, and friendship. Thank you dear.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cloudia: Thank you - what a lovely way to be remembered.

      Delete
  4. I look forward to the day when these products are free. Meanwhile...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marie 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.

      Delete
  5. What a fantastic charity. And no woman should have to make that choice.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LL Cool Joe: It is a brilliant initiative and a choice that no women SHOULD have to make.

      Delete
  6. Hi 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.

    ReplyDelete
  7. That they ever had GST on them was I believe a disgraceful act by former PM Howard.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andrew Scott: You are right and it took far too long before that omission was rectified. Far, far too long.

      Delete
  8. I 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)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. River: 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.

      Delete
  9. Our 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.
    Hugs, Julia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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.

      Delete
  10. It is a good program.
    Cool you still have Woolworths there. They died here ages ago.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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.

      Delete
  11. Before 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Starting 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.

      Delete
  12. This is an excellent program!!! A+++ Big Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Magic Love Crow: Excellent - and badly needed.

      Delete
  13. Laurie: I am glad to hear that your city has a similar program (and unsurprised that you contribute).

    ReplyDelete
  14. Es una buena causa.El covid ha hecho mucho daño en la economía de las personas. Te mando un beso

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. J.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.

      Delete
  15. You'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.

    Maybe we need to focus on this more here, although i'm not sure how to get that to happen.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. messymimi: Good luck - I suspect that every food pantry needs to be more aware of this need.

      Delete
  16. Great idea. In Tasmania from Term 3 they are going to be free in every Public High School for the girls.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Margaret D: I am glad to hear that school girls are going to be covered but worry for older women.

      Delete
  17. It'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.
    Have a nice week
    Regards.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Justcherry: I wish that our government provided food staples each month - though they do provide income support.
      I hope that you have a wonderful week too.

      Delete
  18. I think food pantries all over the world are running low.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mike: You could well be right - and sadly the supply of sanitary items is likely to be even lower.

      Delete
  19. We donate as much as possible too. x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. aussie aNNie: It is a great cause to support isn't it?

      Delete
  20. I'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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bleubeard 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.

      Delete
  21. Dear EC
    This 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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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...

      Delete
  22. That 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.

    Well done for publicizing this EC!

    XO
    WWW

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wisewebwoman: Appalling sums it up well doesn't it? Such a basic need, which is unmet far too often including in our affluent countries.

      Delete
  23. This 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anne in the kitchen: Thank you on behalf of the women/families you help.

      Delete
  24. Hi 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.

    I'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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 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.
      I hope your weekend is healthy, happy and lovely.

      Delete
    2. 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.
      I hope that rain isn't deluging you and just giving the garden a good drink ... you too enjoy the weekend - Hilary

      Delete
    3. 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.
      It 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.

      Delete
  25. Replies
    1. Hena Tayeb: It is - and how I wish it wasn't necessary.

      Delete
  26. There 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.

    Love,
    Janie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Janie Junebug: It is an appalling indictment of our culture's priorities isn't it? Hiss and spit.

      Delete
  27. A very important cause....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lee: It is, and how I wish it was totally unnecessary.

      Delete
  28. I think it's a wonderful cause to contribute to...and yes, sad that it's needed but good there are people to help.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. mail4rosey: 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.

      Delete
    2. Hi EC - yes I'm sure that's true ... H

      Delete
  29. I 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Strayer: 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.

      Delete
  30. I don't recall seeing that particular charity around here, but it's certainly a worthwhile one. What's a woman to do?
    YOU take special care.
    Have a weekend filled with energy and good health.
    Hugs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sandra Cox: Some of the stories about what women do do are horrifying. And there is definitely no dignity in them.
      You take care too please.

      Delete
  31. 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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RO: 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.

      Delete
  32. La 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.

    A+

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VENTANA DE FOTO: You are right. Sadly many women struggled before the pandemic hit and more struggle now.

      Delete
  33. In 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!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beth Waltz: Welcome - and thank you for your continuing support of others.

      Delete
  34. What an excellent cause. I hope it catches on everywhere - it's much needed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diane Henders: It is much needed. How I wish it wasn't.

      Delete
  35. Thanks 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.

    Hope the charity is able to help everyone who needs it. :)
    ~Jess

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DMS ~Jess: I am really glad that this charity exists - and equally sad that it is needed.

      Delete