Periods are a fact of life, but access to menstrual products shouldn’t be a luxury. For individuals and families struggling with poverty, homelessness, mental health challenges, or financial instability, something as essential as feminine hygiene products can feel out of reach.
Period Promise is about more than just products — it’s about restoring dignity, breaking down barriers, and ensuring that no one in our community has to choose between feeding their family and caring for their basic needs.
1 in 4 Canadian women has struggled to afford menstrual products for themselves or their children (Plan International, 2018).
Single parents, families living on minimum wage, and individuals experiencing homelessness are disproportionately affected.
Period Promise doesn’t just impact women – it affects entire families, workplaces, and communities.
At United Way, we believe that access to essential hygiene products is a basic human right. That’s why Period Promise partners with local businesses, donors, and community organizations to provide free menstrual products to those who need them most—no questions asked, no shame, only support.
Since 2020, we’ve distributed over 50,000 menstrual products to individuals, families, and nonprofits across Northumberland County. But the need is growing, and we can’t do it alone.
Every time you donate tampons, pads, cups, or underwear, you’re not just providing products – you’re also helping to raise awareness, break down stigma, and support those affected by period poverty. Your financial support enables us to purchase more menstrual products, extending the reach of your donation to ensure that people in need have access to a greater variety of options.
Our Period Promise Program is undergoing exciting changes. Stay tuned for updates coming soon!
In 2022, Period Promise Northumberland asked community members to anonymously share how period poverty impacts their lives in order to get a better understand of menstruation and equitable access to menstrual products in Northumberland County. The data was collected to form a report on period poverty and equitable access. The survey results are based on 79 Northumberland County residents aged 12-65+.
“I’ve missed work because the only thing to use was folded up toilet paper, I need to change that very often and am afraid of moving and having it fall down my pant leg. I’ve even lost jobs because I take time off once a month.”
“Joining with The United Way Northumberland & Thrive Northumberland on the Period Promise initiative has been so rewarding! The response from our community has been overwhelmingly positive, supportive, and grateful that we are shining a light on an issue that often feels overlooked. It is our hope to spread awareness and reduce stigma around the topic of period poverty (and menstruation in general) each and every day at the playground, so future generations consider it a neutral, commonplace public health matter that affects all families – regardless of gender, income, location or ethnicity. No one should experience barriers to basic hygiene products.”
“We are proud to have partnered with Period Promise Northumberland to help end period poverty. Each month, six public washrooms and one staff washroom containing up to 20-period products are re-filled, sometimes more than once a day. Many times, in a month, we provide over 120 products to those in need. In a year, that is over 1,440 products. The need is there, and we’re thrilled to be a part of the effort in Cobourg, to provide free menstrual products. We are proud to continue to be a donation drop-off location year-round for products.”
We acknowledge that United Way Northumberland is situated on the traditional territory of the Anishnabek, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois), Ojibway/Chippewa peoples. As settlers, we’re grateful for the opportunity to live and work on this land and we thank all the generations of people who have taken care of this land – for thousands of years.
Today’s the day! Join us for our 4th annual Radiothon presented by Cobourg KIA, broadcasting live on Classic Rock 107.9, 93.3 myFM, and Oldies 100.9. We’re bringing the excitement to you from Lauria Hyundai in Port Hope and The Market & Smør in Cobourg. Your support directly benefits the Northumberland Eats Voucher Program and other essential programs. Tune in now and be part of the positive impact!
