Parkside School (Photo courtesy Ross Lavigne)

By Teagan Rasche

Helping to end period poverty

Free menstrual and hygiene products for students

Mar 19, 2021 | 4:44 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Schools in Red Deer announced earlier this week they will be making free menstrual products available for students.

Schools in our community have been doing the same thing with help from the food bank.

“When someone can’t afford menstruation products, they can’t afford the appropriate products to go to work,” said Tara Williams, an instructor at Medicine Hat College. “If they can’t afford menstruation products, they need to be going to work and to school. Not having them just perpetuates that cycle of poverty.”

This is called period poverty and Williams is trying to end it.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Adopt-A-Rink program still seeking volunteers

7h ago

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner

Dec 06, 2024

IN THE COMMUNITY

CHAT News producer makes 'emotional' return to Medicine Hat's old arena

Dec 06, 2024

The idea started five years ago when she went to the Medicine Hat and District Food Bank and noticed a lack of menstruation products.

She brought the idea to her marketing students who now run yearly campaigns to end period poverty, focusing on helping students and adults alike.

Williams’ program, called Teampon, works closely with the local food bank to provide feminine products through the Brown Bag Lunch Program.

Recently, the Prairie Rose School Division reached out to the food bank to add personal hygiene items like deodorant, toothbrushes, and toothpaste.

Carol Carlson, coordinator of student services with Prairie Rose school district, says students will greatly benefit from this.

“On a weekly basis, they’ll order from the Medicine Hat Food Bank, the products needed in the schools and ensure students have easy access to those products,” Carlson said.

Carlson and Williams agree students should have easy and safe access to menstrual and hygiene products.

“In homes where families are working, multiple part-time jobs, that stuff just goes to the wayside,” Williams said. “Those conversations can’t happen as quickly as they can in the school.”

These products will be available in Prairie Rose stalls and bathrooms. Williams is determined to keep this project growing and helping more people.

She encourages people to pick up an extra pack of products at the grocery store and put them in the food bank bin.