Image from mhc.ab.ca

By Chris Brown

Collecting menstruation products for food bank

Campaign to end period poverty returns at MHC

Oct 26, 2020 | 2:40 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Business administration and art and design students at Medicine Hat College are once again putting out the call for help to end period poverty in the Medicine Hat region.

For the past five years, the two college classes have taken on the challenge of collecting menstruation products.

This year’s Prevent the Spill campaign will have a different look. The focus is not on challenging others to participate but instead asking the community why they support the initiative and the message behind it.

“We’re asking the community to share why they feel it’s an important cause to support, why they feel compelled to contribute. People can share their message in a video, photo or story on social media to encourage others to donate if they can,” explains MHC business instructor Tara Williams.

The campaign runs until Nov. 16.

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Last year’s drive collected 14,000 pounds worth for the Medicine Hat and District Food Bank, a number they hope to match this year.

“The outstanding support we received from the community last year provided the food bank with a full year’s supply of products, as well as put products into the schools,” said Williams. “We want to reach that number again to ensure that every person in our community has access to the products they need for another full year.”

Celina Symmonds, executive director of the Medicine Hat and District Food Bank, says it sees 65 to 75 families a day, with 49 per cent of those being single-parent homes with female heads of household, making the need for menstruation products as great as ever.

William’s marketing class came up with the tagline and messaging, while Ian Richmond’s applied art and design class provided the visuals.

“Witnessing how this campaign has helped so many people in Medicine Hat over the last few years, has been humbling, and given me such pride in our community,” says RaeAnn French, a fourth-year bachelor of business administration student. “Getting this opportunity to now be a part of putting it all together has been such a fun and rewarding experience and I cannot wait to see our city come together once again to help each other out.”

Physical donations of products at Mr. Lube on Kingsway Avenue, or can donate via e-transfer to donate@mhfoodbank.com with “Prevent the Spill campaign” mentioned in the notes along with the individual’s full name and address to receive a donation receipt.