Impact Stories

Eradicating Period Poverty 

United Way BC’s Period Promise campaign collected more than 500,000 menstrual products and $56,000 for those in greatest need.

Through inspiring collective action, United Way British Columbia’s 2024 Period Promise campaign, presented by Pacific Blue Cross in partnership with CUPE Local 1816, gathered a remarkable amount of donations in support of tackling period poverty.  

Communities collected more than 500,000 menstrual products (and still counting!) and raised more than $56,000 with the help of 80+ workplace and union partners and numerous community organizations throughout our regions. 

Thanks to our Period Promise campaign, more than 130 community organizations will receive free period products to distribute to those in need in their communities.  

Additionally, 20 rural and remote community agencies will receive grants from our monetary donations to buy period products to distribute to their clients. 

Together, along with our collection sponsors, CUPE BC and Clark Wilson LLP, as well as our product sponsors, Tampax and Always, we’re getting menstrual products to people who need them most.  

Our Why 

Even in 2024, period poverty is prevalent with people facing challenges in accessing period products, especially for students, workers, and single parents due to rising costs from inflation.  

Our Period Promise research revealed the cost of menstrual products is so prohibitive, many people opt to stay home from school, work, community, or social events when they have their period so they can buy more food for themselves or their families instead of products.  

This lack of access to menstrual products translates to missed opportunities to learn, earn an income, contribute to their community, or enjoy a healthy social life for no reason other than an uncontrollable function of their body. Indigenous Peoples and people living with disabilities experience these negative impacts more than other groups. 

Our Period Promise campaign makes it easier for people who menstruate to get through their periods with dignity.

Community supporters rally to encourage donations 

United Way BC could not accomplish our goals without the dedication of devoted community champions supporting the campaign. We are so grateful for these supporters who rallied behind the cause to eradicate period poverty for all.  

RE/MAX Real Estate Kamloops collected approximately $1,000 and did a large shop for supplies, coming to a tally of 6820 items to be split between ASK Wellness and the Canadian Mental Health Association!

“Every donation of tampons, pads, cups, or underwear raises awareness, reduces stigma, and tackles the vulnerability and isolation caused by period poverty. And financial contributions help local non-profits purchase product so that they can get it to people in our community.” 

RE/MAX Real Estate Kamloops

Organizations and the Government of BC take action 

We are pleased to welcome BC Ferries, Teck Highland Valley Copper (HVC), City of Courtenay, and BC Centre for Women in the Trades who joined more than 50 other organizations by signing our Period Promise Policy Agreement.  

These organizations have committed to being part of the solution by providing free and accessible period products in their workplaces, offices, and public washrooms.  

“By supporting the Period Promise Agreement, we look forward to making a meaningful impact on the lives of our employees and investing in the overall health and well-being of our community.”

TECK HVC

We are thrilled the Government of BC declared May 28 as Menstrual Health Day in BC for the first time this year! This proclamation helps kickstart the conversation and reduce the stigma around periods and period poverty affecting people in our communities. 

This June was marked by another exciting milestone: the Period Poverty Task Force has released their final report, revealing key findings, recommendations and concrete steps to eradicate period poverty in BC.

As with other forms of poverty, period poverty disproportionately affects IBPOC (Indigenous, Black, People of Colour), people living with disabilities, trans people, and other historically marginalized groups. While financial accessibility is a defining characteristic of period poverty, geographic location, disability, gender, ethnicity, and culture can also be significant factors.  

Since the start of the Period Promise campaign in 2017, with your support, United Way BC has collected and distributed more than 4 million products to those in need across BC.

Partners led the way to success 

Our partnerships are critical to our annual Period Promise campaign’s success and to expand our impact of providing menstrual products to those in need.  
 
Since the beginning, Pacific Blue Cross and CUPE Local 1816 have led by example and supported all aspects of our campaign. Corporate and union leadership collaborated with staff and members to run a successful collection campaign while encouraging other workplaces to do the same. We can’t thank them enough for their leadership and contribution toward increasing accessibility to menstrual products.

Pacific Blue Cross collecting donations for the 2024 Period Promise Campaign.

Our friends and long-time supporters at Always and Tampax have sponsored the collection campaign since its inception. Their generous contributions of donated products have grown significantly over the years which has greatly expanded our campaign’s reach. We deeply appreciate their firm dedication to ending period poverty.  
 
We’d also like to extend our gratitude to returning sponsors CUPE BC and Clark Wilson LLP for their annual participation and sponsorship. Both organizations have demonstrated their commitment to making it easier for people across BC to access the product they need when they need it.  
 
And special thanks to Radio NL, K97.5FM and New Country 103.1FM, all part of the Stingray Group in Kamloops, for promoting the Period Promise collection campaign in their region.

Product distribution is underway 

Thank you to our generous partners for collecting and delivering products to more than 130 community organizations that need them the most.  

United Way BC drops off period product donations at City Reach Society in Vancouver.

We want to give a special thanks to: 

DoorDash 

We’re thrilled United Way BC Food Link has received a grant to join the Ride United: Last Mile Delivery Program! This initiative allows us to offer free local deliveries of food and essential supplies to those in need through DoorDash

By leveraging DoorDash for our Period Promise campaign, we optimized our delivery process, improved coordination between suppliers and community organizations, and ensured efficient use of every delivery. This has streamlined our operations and increased the reach and impact of our program, effectively addressing ongoing and urgent needs within our community. 

We plan to extend the benefits of this DoorDash grant to other initiatives, such as Emergent Response and Food Security. Stay tuned as we continue to expand our efforts and make a difference in our community! 


Helicopters Without Borders  

We’re grateful for the opportunity to work with Helicopters Without Borders this year to distribute period products to rural communities throughout BC as part of their mandate Increasing access to health and wellness through aviation. 

“Approximately 19% of Canadians reside in remote or rural areas. Many of these communities are situated hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of kilometres from the nearest medical facility. Helicopters Without Borders believes everyone, regardless of location, should have access to basic and comprehensive health care.” 

Helicopters Without Borders

Period Promise is about getting products to the people who need them most, so getting them to rural and remote communities where people don’t have the luxury of a variety of options in-store is incredibly exciting.  

Helicopters Without Borders bringing Period Promise donations to rural and remote communities in BC.

We’d also like to acknowledge Two Small Men with Big Hearts Moving for volunteering their staff, trucks and experience to help in the delivery of hundreds of Always and Tampax product out to Agassiz later this month.

Let’s keep the momentum going! 

Even though the 2024 campaign has wrapped up, United Way BC remains steadfast in its dedication to ending period poverty. 

If you’re interested in making a monetary donation, you can still do so on the Period Promise campaign webpage.  

Together with our partners, sponsors and community supporters, we remain united in our mission to eradicate period poverty, ensuring that menstruation is never an obstacle to anyone’s well-being and success!