Campaign exceeds goal

Period Promise campaign exceeds goal of collecting 700,000 menstrual products

After a remarkable four weeks, United Way’s BC’s Period Promise campaign, presented by Pacific Blue Cross, ended on June 7th. The community response was overwhelming – this year’s campaign collected over 700,000 products or their financial equivalent. 

Too many people continue to miss out on work, school, accessing essential services, or social events when they don’t have access to menstrual products. United Way British Columbia is committed to making menstrual products accessible for everyone – and this year’s campaign will make a profound impact in achieving this.

From May 6th to June 7th supporters organized production collection drop-offs and encouraged financial donations – resulting in our biggest collection campaign to date.  

COMMUNITY MEMBERS MOBILIZE TO FIGHT PERIOD POVERTY  

This year community members across the province mobilized to help achieve our history-making campaign collection goal. Cindy Logan, from the Thompson Nicola Cariboo region, is one such example. 

Through traveling to different countries and other volunteer work, Cindy first saw how menstruation prevented people from obtaining education or attending work.  As she began volunteering with United Way’s Period Promise campaign Cindy noticed that the same problem existed in Canada.  

“The more I learned of the challenges people face, the more I realized how important it was to make other people aware and to try to make a difference,” says Cindy.

2022 was Cindy’s 3rd year as the lead coordinator of the Period Promise campaign in Kamloops. Cindy volunteered her time by distributing collection boxes, recruiting volunteers, obtaining local sponsorship, going door to door to hang donation posters, and by contacting businesses, family members, and friends to support the campaign.  

“I’ve heard so many stories of single parents who struggled with providing food or buying product,” says Cindy. “So many people that have a house full of daughters and can relate to the costs. Students with limited funds. It’s all real.”  

Cindy has continually been overwhelmed by the positive response of the broader community and has noticed a snowball effect of support. It’s because of volunteers like Cindy that United Way’s Period Promise campaign is able to improve access to menstrual products for so many in need. 

SUPPORTERS MAKE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT  

This year’s campaign would not have been the success it was without the support of businesses and unions. IATSE Local 891, a union with over 10,000 members, has been long time, passionate advocate for increasing access to menstrual products and has supported the Period Promise campaign since 2017.  

Crystal Braunwarth, Chair of the Women’s Committee at IATSE 891, alongside other members and staff, has been sharing about the campaign in their eBulletin. This helped them educate and advocate for the vitally important cause, and to collect donations. For the members of IATSE 891, United Way’s commitment to being fully inclusive of all people who menstruate is vitally important. This year they set up a team fundraising page as a central spot for their members to see the progress of their collection effort – and became the most successful fundraising team of all, with more than $6000 raised to support the purchase of product.

“The complete health and safety of workers, our families, and our community is part of how we can grow and evolve into inclusive and equitable societies.  Period Promise directly addresses health and safety for a wide net of people who have been largely overlooked and when unions can step up and support.  Thank you, United Way, for allowing us to be a part of this crucial work.” – Crystal Braunwarth

PARTNERS MAKE IT ALL POSSIBLE  

Period Promise has had the privilege of being supported by an amazing group of sponsors. 

We’d like to thank presenting sponsor Pacific Blue Cross, supported by CUPE 1816, for their ongoing dedication to the campaign as part of their overall commitment to make a meaningful and healthy difference in the lives of British Columbians.   

“To aim to collect 700,000 menstrual products is a remarkable goal by United Way British Columbia, and a testament to the generosity of the individuals and organizations who have helped raise Period Promise to new heights. With the cost of living rising for basic necessities like food, heat, and shelter, we know that providing access to menstrual products is more important now than ever. It is exciting to know that the momentum we are building could see an end to period poverty in British Columbia in the coming years.” -Rob Chiarello, SVP, People and Culture at Pacific Blue Cross. 

We’d also like to thank Always, Tampax, and London Drugs for their ongoing support, and, for working together to provide us with creative solutions for securing more menstrual product for those in need across BC. And a special shout out to Clark Wilson LLP and Campbell and Schreurs Chartered Professional Accountants for their sponsorship support of our regional campaigns.  

The commitment made by these organizations has made it possible for everyone to rally together to ensure those who need access to menstrual products have it.  

From all of us at United Way British Columbia, thank you to our sponsors, partner, and supporters for your amazing show of local love.   

PROGRESS IS BEING MADE 

Though the 2022 campaign has come to an end, our commitment and work to combat period poverty continues. In the coming weeks, donations will be distributed to frontline agencies and United Way Food Hubs across the regions we serve.   

If you’re interested in making a donation you can continue doing so by visiting periodpromise.ca. If you have questions or are looking to get involved in next year’s campaign email us periodpromise@uwbc.ca.