TORONTO — Ahead of Menstrual Health Day on May 28, Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health is proud to announce $300,000 in funding commitments over two years to support organizations advancing menstrual equity in Canada.
Nearly one in six Canadians has struggled to access the menstrual products they need. Since 2022, Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health has donated more than $2.3M to 24 community organizations across Canada to help improve access to essential menstrual products for those who need them most.
The Foundation is building on this impact with its latest funding commitment, that will provide $150,000 over two years to both Moon Time Connections (MTC), Canada’s only national Indigenous-led menstrual equity organization, and Help a Girl Out (HAGO), a registered charity focused on menstrual and uterine health education and access.
“Menstrual equity is about more than access to products, it’s about dignity, education, health, and ensuring people can fully participate in school, work and everyday life,” says Paulette Minard, Director of Community Investment and Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health. “Through partnerships with organizations like Moon Time Connections and Help a Girl Out, we’re expanding access to education, community support, and essential menstrual care for people across Canada.”
Moon Time Connections supports northern and remote First Nations, Inuit and Métis (FNIM) menstruators through access to products, menstrual health education and culturally grounded programming in remote and northern communities.
“Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health was the first major funder of Moon Time Connections. From funding our first research project to supporting the growth of our team, the Foundation’s support has been invaluable and its impact profound,” says Nicole White, Founder, Moon Time Connections.
Help a Girl Out works to advance menstrual equity through product access, menstrual and uterine health education, and empowerment opportunities for women, girls and people who menstruate.
“HAGO’s number one priority is building programs that are informed by and tailored to the needs of individuals experiencing period poverty or lacking access to adequate menstrual and uterine health education,” explains Yanique Brandford, Executive Director, Help a Girl Out. “This partnership with Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health will help strengthen and expand community-informed programs that provide meaningful, tangible and culturally responsive resources to individuals impacted by menstrual inequity.”
Canadians are invited to join Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health in expanding access to menstrual products through the annual Pad It Forward donation campaign. From May 23 to June 19, customers can donate period products at Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix stores nationwide, with all products collected directly supporting local community organizations.
