Instead of giving something up for Lent this year, our local parishes encourage us to give back. Currently, there is a chronic shortage of personal hygiene products at all local donation centres. The economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have been especially challenging for our most vulnerable community members, and now, more than ever, our local donation centres need our support to help them help our neighbors in need gain access to life’s basic necessities.
Help support our STA Lenten Toiletry Drive as we strive to build a just and compassionate society rooted in the dignity of all people. Our toiletry drive will take place from Monday, March 21 until Friday, March 25. We encourage every Period 1 class to provide a toiletry care package which will include a $10.00 gift card from either Shoppers Drug Mart or Walmart along with donated toiletry items. Every class will be provided a reusable bag to collect the items. This toiletry drive is run by the student STA Interfaith Council and the Social Justice Club.
“Hygiene Poverty is a thing. Toiletries are the most asked for items by those in need in our poorer communities – after food, rent, utilities, and gas. Hygiene poverty is not being able to afford many of the everyday hygiene and personal grooming products most of us take for granted. The reality of low income is that it restricts people’s options, leaving us caught between being able to heat our homes, pay the rent, eat or be clean.”
The Ontario Coalition Against Poverty