ASHDALE, N.S. — After a month-long campaign in support of helping end menstruation poverty in Nova Scotia, Meander River Farm & Brewery was able to donate 4,109 period products to Windsor's local food bank.
Last fall, Brenda Bailey, of the Ashdale-based brewery, was listening to the radio and Erin Casey, organizer of the Nova Scotia wide campaign for Dignity. Period, was a guest speaker. Casey was describing period poverty in the province.
As Bailey turned the volume up to better hear the interview, she learned that people living in poverty have to choose between paying bills and purchasing tampons; food for their families versus pads. They had to choose between work and their period due to lack of menstrual products.
As the interview concluded, Bailey said she wanted to get involved in helping the campaign.
“We had just the platform to do it,” said Bailey in a press release.
After an announcement on social media, Meander River Farm & Brewery collected donations of pads, tampons, and menstrual cups, and donated $1 from each growler filled during the month of December to Dignity. Period.
“We had a great response to the campaign. We received calls and emails of support from people who had used food banks, who didn't have access to period products. Can you imagine?”
Bailey and the brewery were able to donate 1,767 tampons, 1,555 pads, 756 liners, three menstrual cups, and 28 diapers. According to Dignity. Period, that was enough to support 14 people for one year of menstrual cycles.
Bailey said she hopes that this generosity will continue and has opened people's minds to the other needs of our community.
“Consider donating period products alongside the usual non-perishable food items to your local food banks and shelters,” she said.
To learn more about period poverty in Nova Scotia and how to get involved, visit: www.facebook.com/DignityPeriodCampaign.
