Jessica Micallef
Woolworths is encouraging Sunbury and Macedon Ranges shoppers to donate sanitary items as part of its August Dignity Drive.
Collection boxes have been set up at the supermarket giant’s Kyneton and Sunbury store for Share The Dignity to help women and girls who may be experiencing period poverty, have free access to sanitary items.
Share The Dignity’s volunteer state leader Breanna Tsemetzis said more women are having to choose between buying food or sanitary items due to the economic and financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
She said Share The Dignity has reported a 54 per cent increase in the number of charities registered for the August Dignity Drive compared to previous drives.
“COVID-19 continues to have a profound impact on communities across Australia and it is so important that we come together to help those in need during these difficult times,” she said.
“Through no fault of their own, more woman and girls in Sunbury and Macedon Ranges 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.”
Woolworths will also donate five cents from the sale of sanitary products in August 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 facing difficult circumstances.
Woolworths operations manager Nanette Rose she was proud to be partnering with Share the Dignity.
“It’s this small act of kindness that goes such a long way in supporting vulnerable girls and women,” she said.
