United Way KFL&A is excited to announce the return of the annual Tampon Tuesday Donation Drive in the region.
Starting March 1 and running until March 31, 2024, community members are encouraged to donate tampons, pads, liners and other menstrual hygiene products. The donation drive aims to fill a gap in the Kingston Frontenac, Lennox & Addington area; menstrual hygiene products are among the most requested items at local food banks and shelters, but the least donated. This initiative will once again work locally with national Tampon Tuesday partners Bell Media, organized Labour and Shoppers Drug Mart.
“These collection drives are extremely important for so many agencies and individuals in our community,” said John DiPaolo, President and CEO of United Way KFL&A. “There is always a need for these products and many individuals do not have access to them when they are needed. We are grateful for the wonderful response to this donation drive every year, and I’m sure the community will step up once again to show their support.”
Last year, the KFL&A community showed their support by donating over 118,000 products. After collection, these products are distributed to program users through local agencies and make an impact each day.
“Menstrual hygiene products can be very expensive but are a necessity for many. Can you imagine worrying about buying a product that you need or buying food for your family? We see this with individuals at Interval House, struggling to make ends meet,” explained Leigh Martins, training, education and volunteer coordinator at Kingston Interval House. “Having these products donated by the United Way, allows us to give them the products they need so that they can use their money to buy other necessary items.”
This year’s drive will once again encourage workplaces and individual collection drives of products. There are drop off locations throughout the region and workplaces, neighbourhoods, families, individuals are encouraged to start their own collections, and then drop off at the collection sites.
From March 1 through 31 individuals can drop off at:
- United Way KFL&A office, 417 Bagot Street – Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- All Shoppers Drug Mart locations in Napanee, Amherstview and Kingston
- All Starbucks locations in Kingston