Women who live in poverty often have to make difficult choices about which bills to pay and which to put off, but they should never have to choose between feminine hygiene products or food says a local businessperson.
“Ladies shouldn’t have to worry where the money will come from,” for feminine hygiene products, said Holly Mastrogiacomo, owner of Smitten Apparel consignment shop located in the mall at 259 Grange Rd. “No woman should need to choose between feeding themselves and their family, or managing their hygiene with dignity.”
That’s why Smitten Apparel has instituted Tampon Tuesdays, part of a larger movement to collect feminine hygiene products and donate them to agencies that help people living with poverty. Smitten Apparel is donating them to 40 Baker Street in Guelph.
It costs between $7 and $14 a month to purchase feminine hygiene products – a considerable expense for those on tight budgets. And while people might think of donating items like baby formula, peanut butter and even pet food to food banks, they don’t often think about these other kinds of essentials.
So Mastrogiacomo hopes her campaign will put the idea in people’s minds. And anyone who brings in a box to her store on a Tuesday will receive a 5 per cent discount on their purchase that day and will be entered into a draw for a store gift certificate.
“We really like the outreach that 40 Baker Street provides and we want to help draw attention to the fact that it’s needed,” Mastrogiacomo said. “This is a girly issue and we are a girly store so it’s kind of perfect.”
“Holly has been great at supporting our take away tables with regular donations of clothing from Smitten's excess. She saw our call out for feminine hygiene supplies and it was her idea to create that Tampon Tuesday stream,” said Ed Pickersgill, coordinator of Our Place Youth Circle, one of several anti-poverty groups operating under the umbrella Out of Poverty Society located at 40 Baker Street.
Smitten Apparel also has a partnership with Second Chance employment centre, who refers clients in need of an interview outfit. Smitten puts together the outfit and gives them to clients.
“It’s important to look professional and we want to help them rock the interview,” Mastrogiacomo said.
She describes her consignment store as “fashion forward” and the only consignment store in Guelph that carries plus sizes and maternity wear in addition to more standard sizes. And as often as she can, Mastrogiacomo says she likes to link with local groups and support local initiatives, especially those that help women gain confidence and independence.
“When you look good you feel good and that can help you move ahead in your life,” she said. “But you should still be able to buy groceries.”
