By Mitchell Clarke
Casey Cardinia Libraries (CCL) is sharing the dignity and pitching in to assist women and girls experiencing poverty or homelessness by collecting personal hygiene products.
The bi-annual Share the Dignity drive, part of the charity organisation by Rochelle Courtenay, seeks to provide basic essentials for women and girls in crisis by calling on the community to donate unopened packets of pads, tampons and personal hygiene products.
“So many women, every month, have to forfeit sanitary products because they cannot afford them. Many mothers have to choose between buying tampons and feeding their children,” Ms Courtenay said.
“When you donate sanitary products to Share the Dignity, you’re giving a woman experiencing homelessness or financial crisis the essentials, so she doesn’t need to choose between food and dignity.
“Next time you’re doing your shopping, keep in mind: one box for me, one box for her.”
The team at Casey Cardinia Libraries understand how important it is that everyone in the community feels respected, welcome and safe, CEO Chris Buckingham said.
“Share the Dignity is about helping people who are in need. Homelessness and family violence are big challenges for our community and people can make a real difference close to home with small acts of kindness,” Mr Buckingham said.
“We are delighted to support this campaign by providing collection points in all of our libraries for donated pads, tampons and personal hygiene products.”
Those wanting to donate should keep an eye out for pink collection boxes at each library across Casey and Cardinia.
The collection drive will commence in March with distribution to registered charities taking place in May.
