Share the Dignity has installed a Dignity Vending Machine at Soul Café to offer dignity to disadvantaged women in the Hunter region, thanks to the funding support of nib foundation.
The machines, also known as Pinkboxes are designed to dispense period packs every ten minutes, which allows women to access free sanitary products, including pads and tampons, to manage their period with dignity for the next 24 hours.
Soul Café Manager, Matthew Ortiger, said the Pinkbox has already made a big impact at their venue on Hunter Street by providing women who visit with one less thing to worry about in their day-to-day lives.
“Every week, we provide hundreds of free meals to men and women experiencing homelessness, drug or alcohol addiction, domestic violence and other disadvantages that life may throw their way and to be able to offer more than a just a hot meal at Soul Café is so important to us,” Matthew said.
“The women who have visited so far have really appreciated having these sanitary items freely available, something no woman should go without no matter their circumstances,” he added.
The Pinkbox is one of three vending machines that have been installed in the Hunter since Share the Dignity received over $33,000 in funding support from nib foundation last year.
nib foundation Executive Officer, Amy Tribe, said the Pinkboxes have been installed at Soul Café, Cessnock High School and The Place Charlestown to better support the health and wellbeing of women locally.
“For most of us, sanitary items are something we purchase without a second thought. Yet to others, they’re considered a luxury, and this is simply not good enough,” Amy said.
“To know that some of our most vulnerable women in the Hunter are given free access to what should be a basic human right for all women through the Pinkbox initiative is fantastic and will positively impact the health, confidence and wellbeing of people who need this service,” she said.
Lesley Slevin is a local Share the Dignity volunteer and is passionate about providing women in need with access to pads and tampons.
“Our Pinkboxes can make such a difference in a girl or woman’s life and it makes managing their period one less thing that to worry about during what is usually a very difficult and stressful time in life,” Lesley said.
“I am so happy to be able to be a part of the installation of a Pinkbox in my local community to ensure more women are afforded the dignity they deserve,” she added.
IMAGE | Soul Café Volunteer Emma Nicholson, nib foundation Executive Officer, Amy Tribe, Soul Café Volunteer, Susannah Gilder and Share the Dignity Pinkbox Volunteer, Lesley Slevin. (left-right)
