Tampon Tuesday 2020 in Chatham (Photo via Women United Chatham-Kent Facebook)Tampon Tuesday 2020 in Chatham (Photo via Women United Chatham-Kent Facebook)
Chatham

Drive-thru event planned for Tampon Tuesday

For the second year in a row, a donation drive in Chatham-Kent that brings in thousands of donated menstrual products will be a drive-thru event.

On Tuesday, October 19th, the United Way of Chatham-Kent and Women United will be collecting menstrual products for Tampon Tuesday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Chatham-Kent Nonprofit Centre at 425 McNaughton Avenue West in Chatham.

Event coordinator Margery Muharrem said pads and tampons are some of the most requested, but under-donated, items at food banks and outreach programs throughout the community.

"It's a very expensive item that us ladies need every month, and we just kind of scramble to get that money together," said Muharrem. "It can be very challenging."

Muharrem said Tampon Tuesday brings the community together to meet the need while addressing period poverty, supporting women's and girls' health while also bringing awareness to the issue.

"We set it up as a drive-thru last year, and it was very successful, and we thought let's do that again this year at 425 McNaughton Avenue West, which is the Chatham-Kent Non-Profit Centre where the United Way is housed," said Muharrem.

All donations are welcome, including pads, tampons, and menstrual cups, as well as other items such as shampoo and soap. Financial donations and gift cards are also accepted. Bright pink donation bins are also located throughout the municipality, and donations can be left there as well.

In 2020 at their first drive-thru event, over 2,000 boxes of products were collected. The donations will be divided up and given to organizations and programs throughout Chatham-Kent.

Tampon Tuesday started back in 2009 in London, and the United Way started the event in Chatham-Kent five years ago.

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