The Bread and Butter Thing, Morrisons and Always team up to fight Period Poverty
The Bread and Butter Thing has received a donation of almost 1 million period products following a 6-month partnership with Morrisons, from Always – the UK’s leading period care brand. The donation is part of Always’ End Period Poverty programme and will benefit TBBT partners and hubs across the North of England, providing much needed support to girls and women struggling to afford period products themselves.
Rachel Reid-Fernandez, Operations Manager for TBBT explains: "Now more than ever, as the effects of the COVID-19 crisis are really having a serious economic impact on families, this support from Always and Morrisons is vital. This amazing donation will help thousands of girls and young women - both our regular TBBT members and through the other projects we support - that are struggling to access, or afford, the period products they need to manage their periods safely and confidently[1]."
She continues: "There's been a lot of talk - quite rightly - about how period poverty affects teenage girls, forcing them to miss days at school and jeopardising their long-term prospects. But the problem doesn't go away when you leave school. Millions of women on low income struggle each month to afford period products. It is estimated that it costs the average women £4800 over the course of a lifetime, which puts the monthly cost at between £10 - £11. For those on a low income, finding £10 can be a real struggle, forcing women to make difficult decisions about how to budget each month. And when you also have teenage daughters that require period products, it raises the cost further. But with the help of Morrisons, their shoppers and Always, TBBT can now help more people in this situation. This is brilliant news our members and the wider community."
Sabrina Gutsche, Feminine Care Brand Manager at P&G commented that “We’ve been on a mission to end period poverty and have donated 28 million products across the UK through our End Period Poverty programme, which launched in March 2018. No girl or young women should have to go without period products and it’s through partnerships like this, that we’re able to ensure they continue to have access to help them reach their full potential.”
[1] Plan International UK, The State of Girl’s Rights in the UK, May 2020
TBBT exists to make life affordable for people on low incomes. Since the coronavirus pandemic, TBBT has seen a 460% increase in demand in April alone, and is now supporting more than 3700 households each week. And in addition to the usual weekly food scheme, over the coming weeks, TBBT will sell boxes of sanitary towels at just £1 per box, containing enough pads to last between 9 - 12 months.
TBBT member and volunteer at the St Francis' hub in Sale Moor, Julie Ward emphasises how important period products have been lately: “This is the best thing that has come through The Bread and Butter Thing other than the food, because people really struggle to purchase these products and they shouldn’t, they really need them."
About Always
Always®, the world's leader in menstrual protection, offers a wide range of pads, wipes and liners designed to fit different body types, period flows and preferences. For over 35 years, Always has been empowering millions of girls globally through puberty and confidence education, providing products to girls in need and tackling societal barriers to their confidence through the Always #LikeAGirl movement. Together, Always believes we can create a world where puberty is a moment that propels girls forward into confident womanhood. Please visit the Always website for more information.
In 2016, Always was proud to announce that all their owned production sites are zero manufacturing waste to landfill. Find out more.