LOCALS wanting to help those less fortunate are urged to get behind the Share the Dignity August drive by donating unopened period care products to help end period poverty.

Founded in 2015, Share the Dignity aims to make essential sanitary products available to vulnerable women across the country, so nobody is forced to choose between buying food or the products necessary to get through their period.

Local Share the Dignity shero, Mel O’Brien, said she became involved with the charity five years ago after noticing all products donated locally were being sent elsewhere as there was not a representative to hand them out to charities within our community. 

Since getting involved with the worthwhile cause, Ms O’Brien has been spreading the message about the importance of donating period products and has ensured all donated goods remain within the Hamilton area and go to local women in need.

“In August we ask people to donate sanitary products into pink boxes and they go to local women in the area,” she said.

“If you can help our local women in need please do, because despite what people think there are a few homeless and desperate women in our area.

“Dig into your pockets and help out, it’s a really good charity and what’s donated locally stays locally.”

Ms O’Brien said Hamilton residents wanting to get involved could donate their period products at the donation boxes set up at Woolworths and GenHealth.

“We take all products but they need to be brand new with sealed packaging,” she said.

“I have a couple of local charities that I give them to.”

The August Dignity Drive is one of three annual Share the Dignity events, with another Dignity Drive held in March and the ‘It’s in the Bag’ drive held in November, which sees people donate an excellent condition handbag, backpack, or baby bag filled with hygiene products.

Woolworths have again partnered with Share the Dignity for the August drive, and are donating money from each period care product sold, with shoppers also able to make a donation through the Woolworths registers. 

Woolworths Hamilton store manager, Jen Bourke, said she was thrilled to be working with the charity once again to help women in the south-west.

“We’re proud to continue our partnership with Share the Dignity and support the meaningful change they are creating,” she said. 

“We would also like to thank all our Hamilton customers who have donated so far as their generous contribution has helped lessen the impact of period poverty in an already challenging time.”

Period poverty is a widespread issue across the country and refers to a lack of access to menstrual products, sanitation facilities, and adequate education.

Locals who cannot make it to one of the donation boxes in town can contact Ms O’Brien at melanie_obrien_@hotmail.com who will collect the period products.