The economic and financial impacts of COVID-19 has meant that even more women are having to make the choice between buying food or sanitary items, with Share the Dignity reporting a 54 per cent increase in the number of charities registering for the August Dignity Drive, when compared to the previous drive held earlier this year.
Woolworths customers across Victoria donated more than 10,300 sanitary products towards the March Dignity Drive.
These products were then distributed to girls and women who cannot afford to buy sanitary items.
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The August Dignity Drive will run have a collection box at Woolworths Benalla, giving customers the opportunity to donate sanitary items.
Woolworths will also donate five cents from the sale of pads, tampons and liners 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.
Share the Dignity volunteer and state leader Victoria Breanna Tsemetzis said COVID-19 continued to have a profound impact on communities across Australia.
“It’s so important that we come together to help those in need during these difficult times,” Ms Tsemetzis said.
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“Through no fault of their own, more women and girls in Benalla 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.
“Together with Woolworths Benalla, we’re calling on the local community to support our August Dignity Drive by purchasing their sanitary items at Woolworths or donating what products they can to our collection boxes.
“Each donation is so valuable to us and will go towards supporting the lives of women across Victoria.”
Woolworths Benalla store manager Leigh Harman said at a time when community support and kindness was more important than ever, the store was incredibly proud to be partnering with Share the Dignity for the August Dignity Drive.
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‘We’re always amazed by the generosity of our customers and the support they show for our Dignity Drives,” Mr Harman said.
“It’s this small act of kindness that goes such a long way in supporting vulnerable girls and women across Benalla.”
Woolworths has partnered with Share the Dignity since early 2019 and, in partnership with its customers, has raised more than $1.3 million for the charity.
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