Manitoba parish targets period poverty with red mailbox project; other churches join

Notes: "Since last spring, staff at Christ Church The Pas have been placing tampons, pantiliners and pads in a red mailbox hanging from the church wall, and inviting community members who need them to help themselves. The Rev. Jann Brooks says the service is being used to the point where she has to refill the mailbox every second day". "Menstrual products have been estimated to cost women anywhere between $66 and $250 per year, Brooks says". "It all means that period poverty is a serious problem in Canada, [Brooks] says, especially when compounded with other physical stressors that often face women living in poverty, such as lack of food and clean water. Physical health aside, she says, it impinges on human dignity". "The Rev. Cheryl Kukurudz, executive assistant to the bishop and dean in the diocese of Brandon, says that some of the factors in the decision to put up a red mailbox at St. Matthew's Cathedral were its downtown location and the fact that it is well known to many of Brandon's displaced people".; Author is described in this issue as "Acting Editor".

Subjects: Menstruation - Religious aspects - Anglican Church of Canada; Feminine hygiene products - Religious aspects - Anglican Church of Canada; Poor women - Canada; Brooks, Jann; Christ Church Anglican (The Pas, Man.); Kukurudz, Cheryl; St. Matthew's Anglican Cathedral (Brnadon, Man.)