An initiative that started at a small business in Guelph's east end to provide menstrual hygiene products to those that can't afford them has gone city-wide.
Tampon Tuesday’s was started by Holly Mastrogiacomo at her Smitten Apparel store in the Grange Plaza on Victoria Road in May of 2016.
It saw her collect menstrual hygiene products in a box near her counter that were then distributed to organizations dealing with Guelph residents who might not be able to afford the essential yet costly products.
Now Mastrogiacomo has taken it further, with the products now being made available in locations throughout the city. Those include all the Guelph Public Library branches and two Planet Bean coffee shop locations.
Tidy pink boxes are kept stocked with a variety of sizes and varieties of the products and people are invited to take what they need. At the library those boxes will be in the washrooms.
The boxes are stocked primarily through the plentiful donations received each week on Tampon Tuesday at Smitten Apparel, where customers at the store receive a small discount on their purchases if they bring in a donation of menstrual hygiene products.
“We’re so excited to have the library on board and to see it grow more and more,” Mastrogiacomo says.
“It’s an essential product but it’s an essential product and not something everyone can afford. It’s about not having to worry if you’re on a tight budget.”
Dan Atkins, Director of Operations for Guelph Public Library said in a statement that “the Guelph Public Library is proud to participate in programs that reflect our ongoing commitment to supporting all members of the community; Tampon Tuesday is a creative initiative grounded in the very real needs of many women, and we are eager to partner.”
Through regular donations, Mastrogiacomo distributes free menstrual hygiene products through Chalmers, Hope House, Second Chance, Anishinabek Outreach, the Food Bank and The Bench on Wyndham Street and the Community Access Van, among others.
She hopes more locations will come on board and would like to see them in City Hall washrooms.
She is also hoping Guelph will join the movement to have May 28 declared Menstrual Health Day.
“It’s kind of grown and we’re thrilled that it has,” she says. “People really seem to appreciate it and it is definitely providing a need for people.
“We’re just trying to reach as many people that would need it and want to have access.”
In addition to regular donations dropped off at Smitten Apparel, Mastrogiacomo uses some of the store’s sales to purchase products through Shoppers Drug Mart, who have partnered with her and “give us a really good deal.”
