Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
Peace River Regional Women’s Shelter is asking anyone able to donate, to please reach out to the shelter to contribute one of the many items they are short.
“Without the kindness of our community members’ donations, we wouldn’t be able to meet all the needs of our clients and provide them with clothing options,” says executive director Sandra O’Doherty.
“We have a long list of items that we continually accept to help our current and new clients,” she adds.
Items requested include all sizes of women’s and children’s clothing, in particular at this juncture summer clothing. Underwear and socks for both women and children, large summer shoes for children and youth, toothbrushes and toothpaste, all period products, hairbrushes and hair ties, and many other items.
The shelter also has two period pantries that they keep stocked in the community, one near the women’s shelter and one beside the Mental Health building at 10011 98 Street. Both pantries are restocked as needed and depending on donations received.
“Our period pantries are always fluctuating; now we are stocked up but that could change overnight,” says O’Doherty.
“Most people are unable to pay rent, utilities, food and gas let alone period products now. We are seeing the demand for the period products increase monthly.”
O’Doherty says the period pantries and donations help to provide security for the women in the community, knowing they can go to school, work, or about normal activities and not have to stay home during their period.
“Trying to juggle financials now with the current state of our economy is already a hardship,” she says.
“Women have always had to pay for things that they have no control over. It would be great if governments would legislate period products to cost a lot less and possibly give tax breaks or subsidies. The least they could do is get rid of the pink tax on period products.”
The group can take donations at the shelter, monetary donations, gift cards or any of the items mentioned. For the safety of the clients in care, please first call the shelter at (780) 624-3466 to arrange a drop off.