'Period poverty project' in London, Ont., aims to give free access to menstrual products
CBC
Earlier this month, Stevie Brocksom of London, Ont., surveyed their Facebook friends and discovered a third of them had gone without menstrual products when they were bleeding.
"The period poverty project was founded to combat period poverty," said Brocksom who launched the initiative after conducting her informal poll. "I collect donations and distribute to people who are in need at any given time."
For now, Brocksom is running the project through their Facebook page.
"I've heard of people who shove toilet paper in their vagina," said Brocksom. "I've heard of people who put newspaper in their underwear, shove plastic bags in their underwear."
"Menstrual products are not cheap. They're not free," they said. "With the inflation recently, a box of tampons can run you 10, 12 dollars sometimes."
"Unfortunately, there hasn't only been a handful of times I've experienced this," said single mom, Nadine Burger of London, Ont. "Having had my son so young, I had my priority list shift once he was born which caused my needs to come second."
"Month after month, my period would come, and I would be forced to choose toilet paper, paper towels, cotton balls, rags etc. to help with my cycle."
Brocksom is collecting donations at a number of drop-off points, including in downtown London, Argyle, Westmount, White Oaks, Lambeth and Hyde Park.
"Other volunteers have stepped forward and have started collecting as well and have their own stashes. So if you're in any of those areas, you can access one of those volunteers," said Brocksom.
"I've personally gone without menstrual products as well," they said. "Half the population menstruates. It's okay and it's normal, It's not something that shouldn't be hush hush."
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