Ottawa Police collecting personal hygiene products for women until December 12

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, November 26, 2021      11:30

(Ottawa) – The Ottawa Police Service and our partners Shoppers Drug Mart and Citron Hygiene are once again inviting Ottawa residents to help us collect personal hygiene products for women.

“Hygiene products are a monthly expense that some women in our community can’t afford,” said Cst. Dawn Neilly, organizer of 6^th installment of the Purse Project. “We’re asking for people to give sanitary and hygiene products like pads, tampons, soap, toothpaste, deodorant and shampoo. Products for men are also welcomed.” 

The collection of personal hygiene products was introduced in 2016 as the ‘Purse Project’ and resulted in over 8000 purses filled with necessities that were donated to women living at local area shelters. In 2019, the OPS emphasized the products without the purses, calling it the “Re-fill Project”. 

“In our first campaign, the purses were a discreet way to deliver the products to women in need,” said co-organizer Cst. Stephanie Lemieux. “Even though we kept the name and are so grateful for the community support, we no longer need purses and really want to focus on the products themselves. We are asking that donators do not put products in purses this year.”

This is partly because of public safety measures when it comes to sanitizing purses. 

Between police stations, participating local Shoppers Drug Marts and Citron Hygiene, there are plenty of drop-of options.

You can donate products until December 12 at these Shoppers Drug Mart locations: 174 Bank Street, 702 Bank Street, 1080 Bank Street/Sunnyside, 3781 Stranherd Drive and at 181 Greenbank Road. 

The Citron Hygiene warehouse located at 150-2855 Swansea Crescent is also a drop-off location, from Monday to Friday between 8:30am to 4:30pm. 

Ottawa Police Services will accept donations at 211 Huntmar Drive, 3343 St. Joseph Boulevard and 474 Elgin Street between 8am and 6 pm.

All items collected will be delivered by OPS to local area shelters including, but not limited to the Minwaashin Lodge, Youth Services Bureau, Nelson House and Cornerstone Housing.

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