Dignity Drive in full swing across regions

THE first of Share The Dignity’s two Dignity Drives in 2022 is almost complete with collection boxes all over the Geelong, Surf Coast and Bellarine regions set to be picked up at the month’s end.

The initiative, delivered in partnership with Woolworths for a fourth year running, will reach two significant milestones this month, donating half a million period products and installing its 100th Dignity Vending Machine.

With each Dignity Drive, more and more people are urged to donate whatever period products they can spare at any Woolworths across the country as part of the nationwide initiative.

Local Share The Dignity ‘Shero’ for Geelong and the Bellarine, Jess Patti, said while donations were down in previous years, there is still time to make an impact across the region for women in desperate need of these items.

“It’s been a rough couple of years in terms of donations, but we’d love for residents to donate,” Ms Patti said.

“All of our donations go to local women which is really important for people to know, even though it’s a national campaign, and there are a lot of local women who need it.”

Ms Patti also said collection boxes can be found in stores across Geelong in suburbs such as Geelong West, North Geelong, Bell Post Hill, Corio Village, Highton, and Belmont.

Bellarine-based Woolworths locations with collection boxes include Curlewis, Drysdale, Kingston, Ocean Grove, and Portarlington, as well as any Woolworths across the Surf Coast.

Share the Dignity founder and managing director Rochelle Courtenay said the support of Woolworths had been essential in the fight to end period poverty.

“We are so proud to continue our partnership with Woolworths this year and celebrate these incredible achievements,” Ms Courtenay said.

“When I first started Share the Dignity, I wanted to forever change the way that people walked the sanitary aisles.

Woolworths have played a significant role in this, in breaking down the shame and stigma surrounding periods, and in ensuring that no woman or girl goes without the basic essentials.”

This year’s Dignity Drive also aims to create conversation around the tough choices some people must make every month through the ‘Would You Rather’ campaign.

“We know that when people are struggling financially, pads and tampons are often the first to be taken off the shopping list.

“We’ve heard so many stories of mothers who have chosen to go without so that they can buy pads for their daughter, or university students having to choose between filling up their car or buying tampons.

“Menstruation is not a choice, and no one should have to choose between buying food or other essentials, and products to manage their period with dignity.

“So, when you’re shopping at Woolworths this month, please consider adding an extra pack to your trolley for someone who may be doing it tough.”

Residents have until March 31 to donate to collection boxes.

Monetary donations can be made at www.sharethedignity.org.au.