The United Way’s 2025 Period Promise campaign in Kamloops has once again shone a light on the growing challenge of period poverty across British Columbia.
Running throughout May, the campaign aimed to collect menstrual products for people who cannot afford them, but campaign manager Chelsea Ingram says while community support was strong, the need remains urgent.
“This year, we saw more public involvement than in previous years,” Ingram explained. “We partnered with the City of Kamloops, Cordo, Downtown Kamloops, and the North Shore Business Improvement Association to help raise awareness and gather donations.” However, she notes that despite the effort, the initial collection results are not quite meeting expectations, highlighting the scale of the problem.
Period poverty affects one in four people who menstruate in BC, forcing many to choose between essential needs like food or period products. Without access to these products, individuals often miss school, work, or social activities, which can lead to isolation and hardship. Recent data from United Way BC’s 2025 needs assessment revealed that over 14 million menstrual products are needed this year to meet demand across the province, a staggering figure that underscores how widespread the issue has become.
While the official collection period ended in May, donations are still welcome year-round. Pacific Blue Cross has generously offered a dollar-for-dollar match on all monetary donations made until June 15, up to $25,000, doubling the impact of community support. Donations can be made online through the United Way BC website.
The campaign also benefits from important partnerships with local businesses and sponsors such as Tampax and Always, who have donated shipments of menstrual products. “We currently have a shipment in Kamloops that we’re sharing with United Way Kelowna,” Ingram said, adding that they are seeking local workplaces willing to help transport product pallets to extend the reach of donations.
Beyond collecting products, the Period Promise campaign works to break the stigma around menstruation and raise awareness about period poverty, which remains a taboo topic for many. “When I was younger, menstruation wasn’t discussed openly,” Ingram said. “We’ve made progress, but these conversations are crucial to supporting youth and others who face these challenges today.”
United Way BC’s 2024 campaign collected over 500,000 products and distributed them through more than 130 community partners, the largest network ever involved. This year, the goal is to collect over 550,000 products to help vulnerable individuals across the province.
Ingram invites individuals and workplaces in Kamloops to get involved not only by donating products or money but also by organizing collection drives or volunteering to help distribute supplies. “It takes a village to address period poverty, and we can’t do this without the community’s ongoing support,” she said.
For more information or to make a donation, visit UWBC Period Promise.
Ingram says you can also contact her directly by phone at 778-362-1835 or by email at ChelseaI@uwbc.ca
