‘End Period Poverty’ campaign closes, but continues cause in Medicine Hat

The Root Cellar Food and Wellness Hub hosted the counting of products from the campaign that was supported by the Medicine Hat Skateboard Association.

The food bank supplies around $36,000 worth of menstrual products annually.

The End Period Poverty campaign states that $3,000 worth of menstrual products will cover one month in Medicine Hat.

$3,000 worth of menstrual products will cover one month in Medicine Hat. Courtesy/Facebook

Also partnered with the Redcliff Youth Centre and the Medicine Hat College, the campaign received donations from around the city to provide for those in need.

Chris Hellman, who was and has been involved with the campaign in the past, said that when people think about food banks, they usually only think about food.

“They don’t often think about things like hygiene products, or diapers, or things like that. But the need is there, just as much as it is for the food,” he said.

“For the Skateboard Association to recognize that need, and then step up and fulfill it with this amount of product- I mean, this is about a half a year’s worth at least- is fantastic, it’s outstanding.”

Chris Hellman. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

Jade Ritchie, treasurer of the MHSA, said that the amount of product they raised last year was $6,000 worth.

She said it only lasted two months in Medicine Hat, proving how big of a need it is, and how important awareness around the issue also is.

“It’s just crazy to think, you wouldn’t expect it to be happening in your own city, especially not Medicine Hat,” she said.

“It is happening, and it feels good to be doing something about it.”

Jade Ritchie. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

Joshua Jessop, who’s involved in the MHSA, said that he knows that a lot of families have been very thankful for the campaign.

“I think that it is really amazing that we have enough respect in our community to be able to do something as crazy as raising up this much product that we did,” he said.

“The fact that our crew members get to build these characteristics in themselves from helping volunteer too is amazing.”

Jessop said that he’s excited to help out the community, as it gives a sense of purpose.

Joshua Jessop. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

Melissa Mullis, executive director of the Root Cellar, said that the premise of the campaign is to create awareness around people who have to choose between food and feminine hygiene products.

She said that it’s amazing how so many people in the community have recognized that over the years, and helped out so people don’t have to make that choice.

Although the campaign has reached its end, the need for products is constant.

Melissa Mullis. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

“The campaign isn’t over. We need these products 365 days of the year,” she said.

“So if people want to come and donate, they can do so any time. They can drop them at the bins at the grocery store. We need them all year round.”

Hellman said that the donations received this year are equal to the most the campaign has ever received since it began, thanks to the Skateboard Association.

“I think it’s a great youth organization. And maybe there’s a little bit of a stigma behind skateboarders, and how they interact with the community,” he said.

“Stuff like this shows that they’re a very giving group, willing to help out when there’s a need, and this right here shows it.”

Hellman said that the MHSA has been able to convince the community of this issue, and the awareness component to it is very inspiring.

Although the campaign has come to a close, donations will still be accepted at the Root Cellar, and all three high schools in Medicine Hat.

by Jayk Sterkenburg

‘End Period Poverty’ campaign closes, but continues cause in Medicine Hat

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