Lidl donate period products to Midlands Simon

(Above) Maria Egan (Lidl) Emma Keane, Megan Kearney, Cathal Kane (Simon Community)

Lidl Ireland has completed its first donations of period products to Midlands Simon Community to coincide with Menstrual Hygiene Day which takes place today, May 27.

These donations will help support women and girls affected by period poverty in Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath. Last month, the retailer became the first retailer in the world to offer free period products to those affected by period poverty in stores nationwide, in addition to committing to ongoing donations of these products through a partnership with The Simon Communities of Ireland and Homeless Period Ireland.

As part of the ground-breaking initiative, Lidl also launched dedicated donations of period products through the Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA), with hopes of stocking free period products in LGFA clubs across the country. To date, more than 80 clubs the length and breadth of the country have applied for period product support, giving thousands of women and girls in their network access to free essential period products.

Speaking about the initiative, Claire Hunt, Found of Homeless Period Ireland said: “The is what meaningful action looks like. Well done to Lidl Ireland and the Simon Communities for helping to make real change happen, and hopefully have a tangible impact on those affected by period poverty in this country.”

Tom McAuliffe, Regional Director at Lidl Ireland, commented: “It has been incredible to see the response to our period poverty initiative, not only in the communities we operate in, but across the globe and to see so many new initiatives come to life as a result. The lack of access to period products and the stigma that surrounds menstruation is something that impacts people in our communities across the country and we feel that as a family retailer it’s in our communities’ best interest to support those affected. I’m delighted to see our first donation materialise and we hope that by donating these products they will support women and girls affected by this issue across the region.”

To apply for Lidl’s period product support initiative, visit www.lidl.ie/period-poverty.