After a very successful fundraising campaign last year, the Prince Edward County Period Party Project is back with a team of warriors on a mission to end period poverty.

Alison Kelly, Ramona Roblin, 10 and several volunteers are hosting this year's Period Party in a continued effort to make menstrual products accessible to those in need.  

"It's extremely important," said Kelly, a former HPEDSB trustee.  "With the current cost of everything, products are the last thing that people are buying.  They have a choice between 'am I going to buy food or am I going to buy tampons or pads.  They are going without."

The group is again partnering with agencies such as the local school boards and charities that serve people 'to get products the hands of those who need it without any stigma.'  Cash donations collected this year will go directly to the Prince Edward Learning Foundation through the school board toward the Student Emergency Fund.  Families in need of products are encouraged to reach out to Kelly directly.

In an effort to ensure no one has to go without, 555 Brewery in Picton, Kelly’s Shop in Picton, County Acupuncture in Picton, Adega WineBar in Consecon, The Dressing Room in Rossmore, Evergreen Kids in Sophiasburgh, PECish in Milford and Creekside Cafe in Wellington have stepped up to be public drop off locations for products from March 12 to 18.  

This year’s Period Party is free to attend and happening on March 19 at The Regent Theatre in Picton.  Doors open at 1 p.m. with a screening of the 1991 coming-of-age film My Girl starting at 2 p.m.  Donations are welcome.

Kelly said Nell Casson, Kelly Roblin, Natalie Finkelstein, Felicia van Noordt, Jennifer Dunville have volunteered with more coming on board to help make the event a smashing success.  There will be a local vendors market, slideshow Q&A, trivia, and door prizes.    

"It has really become that community event," Kelly expressed.  "Everyone wants to be involved and tell their stories.  It started off as this small thing to raise products and it has really morphed into a community conversation.  People are talking about it what is the ultimate goal."

Established in 2018, the event is also providing families with a safe space to normalize discussing menstrual health so they 'feel empowered for what is to come,' Kelly continued.  

As a mom of an 8-year-old, Kelly said the education and conversation pieces are important in their household and in friend circles.

"It's about her being prepared but also getting the knowledge so when friends of hers who may not know what she knows - they can have conversations,"  she said.  

Kelly said the event has forced conversations and policy changes on the local political stage as well.  In 2019, HPEDSB introduced accessible products in school bathrooms because of the work by then-student trustee Madison Davies.  Efforts to get a municipal pilot project off the ground that would provide free menstrual products in public washrooms. are still in the works, Kelly said.  Following impassioned deputation by then-nine-year-old Roblin, last April council tasked staff with creating a feasibility report  Kelly said she heard back from the CAO recently that 'things are moving forward to offer free menstrual products in public washrooms at the Picton and Wellington arenas.'

"We have plans to get them into the town halls," she said.  "It's an opportunity to stock up the town halls while we are at it."

Last year "was a massive success" with over $10,000 raised in products and $2,000 in cash.  All of that went to the schools in the County the Picton Library, the Prince Edward Learning Centre, the ROC Youth Centre and even products were sent to Ottawa.  Other organizations that benefited from the fundraiser include the Prince Edward Fitness Aquatic Centre, The Mohawks of Bay of Quinte and Ukraine Donation Drop-off.  4 coin-free machines and additional products were donated to: Prince Edward Collegiate Institute (2), Athol-South Marysburgh School and CML in Wellington.

For more on the project click here.