The End Period Poverty Campaign raps up after completing the Snake of Generosity

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Organizers set a goal of collecting 3,500 boxes of products, which was surpassed during the finale, with a final total of 3,502.

Each year, the campaign encourages donations of menstrual products such as tampons, pads and menstrual cups for people in the community who struggle to afford them.

The initiative began about 10 years ago as a classroom project focused on raising awareness about period poverty and has since grown into a larger community effort supported by local partners, including the Medicine Hat Skateboard Association, Root Cellar Food & Wellness Hub and the Redcliff Youth Centre.

Tara Williams, the campaign’s founder, said the campaign has shifted from primarily education-based efforts to widespread community participation, with increased awareness leading to stronger and more immediate support.

“When we started this campaign, people really didn’t understand what period poverty was, and there was a lot of education involved in explaining what happens when a family can’t afford menstruation products,” Williams said.

“That education has really evolved into people being aware of the need and stepping up immediately to help,” she added.

“If you can communicate a need in this community, people will absolutely stand behind it. We’ve seen more and more people and organizations come together over the years to support this.”

Williams said the campaign addresses a critical need, as limited access to menstrual products can affect a person’s ability to attend school or work, contributing to ongoing financial hardship.

“When someone doesn’t have menstruation products, they use socks, newspaper or folded toilet paper,” Williams said.

“Quite often, they can’t go to school or work,” she added.

“It becomes a cycle that pushes people further into poverty if they’re not able to attend school or work. These products are a necessity.”

Second-year Sports and Event Marketing and Management student, Kathleen Donaldson, said the event highlighted how community-driven initiatives can bring people together while addressing real issues.

“It’s to allow us to figure out how our events can shape a community, how it can bring the community together, and I definitely think this is one of those events that has done that for the Medicine Hat community,” Donaldson said.

“I feel so proud of our community that we’re in. We reached our goal, and there was such a great turnout that came, and everybody was happy and engaged the entire time,” she added.

“When people actually see videos and see that there is an actual need, people are gonna be just amazed.”

The finale also featured live music, games and community involvement, with local organizations and supporters contributing to the final donation total.

All items collected during the campaign are being sent to the Root Cellar Food & Wellness Hub to be distributed to those in need.

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READ: 2026 End Period Poverty Campaign in Medicine Hat aims to boost menstrual product donations

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by Jett Schwaier

The End Period Poverty Campaign raps up after completing the Snake of Generosity

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