Ottawa police collecting feminine hygiene product donations for local women shelters, drop-ins

By Dani-Elle Dubé

For the sixth year, Ottawa police are banding together to collect women’s hygiene products for women and girls in need, with the help of the community, as part of their “Purse Project” initiative.

The fundraiser, Cnst. Dawn Neilly told the Sam Laprade Show on Thursday, December 2, started in 2016 after members of the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) realized there was a need for local women to have access to such feminine hygiene products, because it isn't always easy — or even possible.

“Often times women will show up at a shelter with just the clothes on their back, and spending $5 or $10 on tampons can be a hardship for them,” Neilly said. “So this project came about in 2016, and we’ve kind of grown from there and it’s been a very big success…We’re just trying to help out.”

OPS will have collection bins situated throughout the city to collect all types of women’s hygiene products until December 12.

“There’s a lot of women that are in need and we don’t realize it,” she said. “Pads and tampons are not cheap. It’s hard to put up the money for that every month… We’ve definitely seen a lot of people who are suffering and it’s made us aware that we definitely need to help.”

Products to donate can include tampons, pads, soaps, body washes, lotions, and even mittens, socks, underwear and deodorant.

Last year, Neilly said the OPS was able to raise enough products for 10 shelters and nine drop-ins. This year, they’re hoping to exceed that in their goal and add a few more shelters to the list.

Collection bins can be found at the following locations:

  • Shoppers Drug Mart at Bank Street and Laurier Avenue West
  • Shoppers Drug Mart in The Glebe at Sunnyside Avenue
  • Shoppers Drug Mart at 181 Greenbank Rd.
  • Shoppers Drug Mart at 3781 Strandherd Dr.
  • Police station on Huntmar Drive
  • Police station on 10th Line Road
  • Central police station on Elgin Street
  • Citron Hygiene at 2855 Swansea Cres.

 

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