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Second annual Tampon Tuesday donation drive encourages community to donate menstrual hygiene products for individuals in need

Donations will be collected from March 2 – 16, 2021 throughout KFL&A

Kingston, ON (February 25, 2021) United Way KFL&A is excited to partner with Bell Media, national Tampon Tuesday partner, local Labour partners and Shoppers Drug Mart for the second annual Tampon Tuesday collection drive in the region.

Starting March 2 and running until March 16, 2021, community members are encouraged to donate pads, tampons, liners and other menstrual hygiene products. The donation drive aims to fill a gap in the Kingston Frontenac, Lennox & Addington area.

“We know that menstrual hygiene products are among the most requested items at local food banks and shelters, but the least donated,” said Bhavana Varma, President and CEO of United Way KFL&A. “There are individuals who are vulnerable, with diverse needs when it comes to menstrual hygiene in our community, and many are eager to help – this is an opportunity to do just that.”

With the ongoing pandemic, a Tampon Tuesday event isn’t possible this year, but group collections are encouraged.

“Workplaces, neighbourhoods, families, individuals – everyone is encouraged to get involved and start their own drives for this important need in our community and then drop off at the collection sites,” added Varma. “The pandemic has made these needs even more prevalent and every donation helps.”

Donations will be collected at the following locations:

  • United Way KFL&A office, 417 Bagot Street (back entrance): Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Secura Financial, 1375 Gardiners Road: Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Shoppers Drug Mart locations in Napanee, Amherstview and throughout Kingston – look for donation box

Products can also be donated through an Amazon wishlist and monetary donations can be made online. Community members can also contact the United Way KFL&A office at 613.542.2674 or at events@unitedwaykfla.ca if none of the above options or locations work and a pickup or drop off can be arranged.

Following both the donation drive and event, products will be sorted by volunteers and distributed to various agencies in the community including Boys & Girls Club, Dawn House, Elizabeth Fry Society of Kingston, Girls Inc, HIV/AIDS Regional Services + Mobile Unit, Home Base Housing – One Roof, Rise 149, In From the Cold, KCHC Pathways to Education, KHSC Detox, Kingston Interval House, Kingston Youth Shelter, L&A Interval House, Lunch by George, Maltby Centre, Martha’s Table, Partners in Mission Food Bank, Resolve Counselling Centres, Rural Frontenac Community Services, Southern Frontenac – Food Bank, Street Health, St. Vincent de Paul Society

For more information and resources including collection site posters, social media posts and more visit https://www.unitedwaykfla.ca/tampontuesday

Note: United Way KFL&A encourages inclusiveness for Tampon Tuesday events. Please use the term “menstrual hygiene products” versus “feminine hygiene products”.

About Tampon Tuesday

Started in London Ontario, the grassroots movement began in 2009 after Mandi Fields toured a local foodbank and discovered an empty shelf in the non-food cupboard. Knowing the cost of these items, and their importance to women’s health and dignity, she felt the need could not continue to be overlooked and came up with a plan to provide a solution.

Tampon Tuesday’s continue to grow as an opportunity to collect products for people experiencing period poverty.

In 2017 United Way Centraide’s Labour Programs and Services joined forces with Tampon Tuesday, and Bell Media to begin holding events to help people across Canada.

In 2020, United Way KFL&A initiated the first Tampon Tuesday drive in this community, partnering with workplaces, Bell Media, local labour partners, Queen’s University for a Tampon Tuesday donation drive and event. Over 45,000 hygiene products were donated and distributed to agencies and individuals in need in the community. 

About United Way of KFL&A

The United Way KFL&A works with individuals, organizations and key partners in the Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Region to build and strengthen our shared community, bringing people and resources together to facilitate change for the better. Our vision is a future in which people are self-sufficient in a community, where individuals live with hope, dignity and a sense of belonging. Stay up to date by following our social media channels – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and of course, look for regular updates on our website at www.unitedwaykfla.ca.

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Media Contacts:
Mandy Pasch, Manager, Marketing and Communications
United Way KFL&A
613-542-2674, ext. 1204, marketing@unitedwaykfla.ca

Tampon Tuesday Donation Drive

United Way KFL&A is excited to partner with Bell Media, national Tampon Tuesday partner, and local Labour partners for the second annual Tampon Tuesday collection drive in the region, following International Women’s Week.

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"My wife and I have always donated to the United Way KFL&A because we know the donated funds are used in our community. In my retirement, I have become more aware of the people in need in our community. I encourage you to support these vital programs by volunteering and by making a donation. Through the United Way you make a difference in the lives of so many."
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United Way of KFL&A would like to acknowledge this traditional territory’s longer existence and its significance for the Indigenous people who lived and continue to live on Turtle Island.

We are situated on traditional Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Huron-Wendat land. There are Métis and other non-status First People from many Indigenous Nations present in our community today. This acknowledgement symbolizes the United Way KFL&A’s first step, of many, along this path toward Indigenous reconciliation, in a respectful manner.

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