In recognition of International Women’s Day, Lake Country Co-op will be launching our 6th annual “Every Woman Matters. Period.” campaign. This campaign serves to empower women by raising awareness about the impact of “period poverty”. A 2023 Canadian Survey by Plan International Canada found that as many as 25% of Canadian women had to choose between purchasing menstrual products and essentials such as food and rent, and most are too shy to talk about it.

From March 8 to the 16, we will be collecting donations in $10 denominations at our Prince Albert, La Ronge and Nipawin food stores as well as our Marketplace and Clinic Pharmacies in Prince Albert. Donations of menstrual products will also be accepted at these locations. Money raised will be used to purchase feminine hygiene products that will be donated to local community organizations supporting women in need; Prince Albert YWCA, Piwapan Women’s Centre in La Ronge and Nipawin Oasis Centre.

“Our goal with this campaign is to not only create conversations about the reality of period poverty in our communities, but also to empower women to be the best they can be, which starts with meeting basic hygiene needs,” said Monique Zwack, Executive Director Pharmacy and Customer Experience for Lake Country Co-op, “Lake Country Co-op strives to make each of our communities better, and this is yet another way that we can succeed with our goal.”

The YWCA in Prince Albert houses more than one hundred women and female youth which adds up to tens of thousands of nights spent in programs each year. In addition, they support women who are part of non-shelter programs or who walk in from the street needing supplies.“We’ve all felt the burden of inflation in recent years, but none have felt it more acutely than the vulnerable in our communities. Women with low income or living on the street must make tough choices about where their money will be used—often at the expense of feminine hygiene and the dignity it provides. Lake Country Co-op has helped keep our programs stocked for many years with feminine hygiene products for both the women and youth in our programs, and those in need on the street. What may seem small to us makes a massive difference for so many individuals.” said Jesse Powalinsky, Communications and Development Officer for the YWCA Prince Albert.

In La Ronge, the Piwapan Women’s Centre is a non-profit organization that offers a full range of residential and outreach services specializing in helping women and children impacted by family violence. Piwapan plays a key role in servicing La Ronge and small communities in Northern Saskatchewan. According to Karen Sanderson, the Centre’s Executive Director, the program sheltered over 100 families last year and makes care packages containing feminine hygiene supplies to provide to youth group participants. “We are very grateful to receive this support as it will greatly impact the care we can provide to the many families and youth that rely on our services.”

The Nipawin Oasis program provides ongoing support to the community by offering programs that support families, women and those experiencing homelessness and/or poverty. The Nipawin community currently has serves about 200 people per week, with the need for support continuously growing. Executive Director Joy Hanson is most appreciative of the support, stating “This will make such a big difference, allowing us to stretch our limited budget a little further so that we can continue supporting people of all ages in our community”.

Through the generosity of our members and customers in Prince Albert, Nipawin and La Ronge, we are hoping to provide enough feminine hygiene products to support women in need within these communities for the next few months.

From March 8-16, Prince Albert, La Ronge and Nipawin food stores as well as the Marketplace and Clinic Pharmacy locations in Prince Albert will be accepting donations. All proceeds will be donated to select local community-based organizations. 

About Lake Country Co-operative Association Limited
Lake Country Co-op is a retail Co-operative that has proudly served North Central Saskatchewan for over 80 years. Today, Lake Country Co-op serves more than 55,000 members – and many more customers – throughout 20 communities. In 2024, Lake Country Co-op returned $14 million to members and donated over $800,000 to 400 community organizations and initiatives.