It's quite the success for a pair of Grade 12 students at Centennial, looking to put a dent in the issue of period poverty locally.
Ellie Schlotzhauer and Elisa Napier collected about 250 boxes of period products and hygiene products from students and staff as part of a period poverty awareness drive. The products, as well as about $800 in cash donations, will head to Hope House later this week.
The two said it started as a project for their DECA business club, which looks at preparing young entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management.
“Upon doing a little bit of research, we learned that period poverty was a really big thing, both in our community and throughout Canada, and especially during the holiday season,” Schlotzhauer said.
According to a public opinion research survey conducted this year on behalf of Women and Gender Equality Canada, one in five who menstruate may not be able to afford period products in the next 12 months.
“It was shocking to me,” Schlotzhauer said. “Twenty per cent of women that would struggle to buy something that is a basic necessity. That’s kind of where we decided that we needed to do something about it.”
So the drive was on. It even progressed into a school-wide competition.
Each classroom participating was scored on a point system, based on the donations brought in. The class that brought in the most will be treated to a hot chocolate party.
“The competitive aspect definitely got students more involved, and there were a few classes that were competing against each other, which was really fun,” Napier said. “That definitely had a lot of products brought in.”
The products will be made available to local Hope House clients living on the streets or in shelters.
“I definitely learned about how big of a difference people can make when they do come together,” Napier said. “I definitely think we collected a lot more than I anticipated, especially with high school students, but I think the message did get across to them.”
“The idea of actually running a fundraiser, I’ve never done anything like that,” Schlotzhauer added. “I think just seeing the response from my school and their willingness to help has been super motivating and moving. It’s just kind of opening my eyes for both what can be done, and what needs to be done.”
The hope is doing the drive also got the word out about an important issue.
“This issue is often masked due to stigma,” Napier said. “So just getting the word out there that this is a problem is a huge step.”
