Kyabram Woolworths staff has traded in its leafy green uniforms to don every shade of pink under the sun supporting Share the Dignity’s August Dignity Drive.
The fundraiser encourages people to grab extra period products on their way through the shops and drop them in donation bins, where they will be redistributed to those who cannot afford them.
The fundraiser is especially important today, with 62 per cent of Victorian menstruators finding it difficult to purchase period products, according to a 2024 survey done by Share the Dignity.
One Victorian responder said she had to choose between feeding her children and buying period products, settling to use toilet paper rather than sanitary items.
The numbers only steepen from there, with 78 per cent of people living with disabilities and 83 per cent of Indigenous people finding it difficult to supply period products for themselves.
Kyabram’s Share the Dignity volunteer Lisa John said being a part of an organisation that helped those feel more comfortable in their own skin and take off a financial load was personally fulfilling.
“There are so many women around here who need these products and can’t get them – especially nowadays with the cost-of-living crisis,” she said.
“When I first heard about it when it started up, I was so impressed about what they achieved, and so then I donated a bag (of period products) or maybe seven bags.”
Mrs John said she joined Share the Dignity as a volunteer in 2017, two years after the charity’s start, and had been in and out since then.
But every year, she never fails to donate a bag or two.
This year, she will be collecting period products from the donation bins at the Kyabram Woolworths branch.
Shoppers can grab an extra period product while visiting Woolworths and pop it in the donation bins on the way out.
Not only is five cents of any period product purchase donated to Share the Dignity, but any period products put into the donation bins will also be redistributed to those who cannot afford to buy sanitary products on their own.
“It raises awareness for a start,” Mrs John said.
“But it also gives people the opportunity to give something small to help those who menstruate or those who are in need – in particular – women who, for any reason, maybe financially, socially or mentally incapable of having their own or getting their own products.
“We take the bulk stuff to places to be distributed to those who need it.”
Sally Carver, the store manager of Kyabram Woolworths, said that the pink uniforms would stay for the entirety of the August Dignity Drive.
“The team will be wearing pink throughout the process to support the cause and create awareness,” she said.
Since 2019, Woolworths has been a steadfast partner of Share the Dignity, providing crucial community support and raising an impressive $2.84 million to combat period poverty.
“It’s important that we get behind the cause because cost of living, people can’t actually afford to purchase sanitary items.
“Woolworths has been supporting Share the Dignity for a long time, but now more than ever it's more important with cost of living that customers can also get behind the cause.”
The donation bins will be available at the front of the store throughout August for shoppers who want to donate products to Share the Dignity.