Submitted by Mary Cooper
Dec 9, 2021, VOL. 3 ISSUE 8
Responding to an urgent need to reduce the financial stress caused by rent increases in Fort Erie, Strong Fort Erie Neighbourhoods (SFEN), together with St. Michael’s Church, have set up a Personal Products Bank which will provide free personal and household hygiene products to Fort Erie residents who need assistance just to meet their most basic needs.
There has been a great deal written about the rising costs of rental accommodation lately but the impact of these rent increases came sharply into focus when the Brain Injury Association of Fort Erie (BIAFE) approached Strong Fort Erie Neighbourhoods to ask for help. Nine of their clients had advised them that their rent had increased significantly and, after paying rent and essential, fixed expenses, despite assistance from food banks, they had insufficient money for food. As we’re all aware, the price of food has increased dramatically due to inflation. After analyzing their income/expenses, the idea of the Personal Product Bank was born when it was recognized that some of their income could be freed up for food by providing personal and household products at no cost on a regular basis.
Existing food banks operate by providing emergency supplies for a few days only and recognize they are not always able to fill this need. COPE and The Salvation Army are fully supportive of this project.
Many people locked in poverty, or those who find themselves in times of crisis, often experience restricted options. They are caught between being able to heat their home, paying their rent, or buying hygiene products.
Without consistent resources to maintain personal hygiene, this can lead to social isolation and impact mental wellbeing. Among children, this can lead to bullying at school and a lack of confidence. Having a reliable, monthly supply of personal and household hygiene products at no cost, not only allows people to maintain their cleanliness, it frees up some of their very limited income to buy food.
The Personal Products Bank will operate in three phases:
Phase 1 – already underway for selected BIAFE clients at the office of the Brain Injury Association of Fort Erie.
Phase 2 will open officially in December, 2021 and will:
1. Distribute personal products to vulnerable clients of St Vincent de Paul, St Michael’s from St Michael’s Church.
2. Work with Community Connects to identify and provide personal products to families/children in schools that have a higher percentage of vulnerable children. We will use their recommendations to reach families who need assistance urgently,
Phase 3 will involve three established food banks, The Salvation Army, COPE and St Vincent de Paul, St George’s in Crystal Beach. The Salvation Army and COPE will refer clients if necessary to the Personal Product Bank and SFEN will deliver the product to St Vincent de Paul, St George’s in Crystal Beach who will distribute the product to its clients from there.
The United Way has made a generous donation of some of the products and has also provided funding for the first few months of operation; however, additional help will be essential to maintain the project. Personal Product Drives are taking place in Fort Erie at the following businesses where you can drop off your donations.
- ActiveCare Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Centre, 484 Garrison Road, Fort Erie
- Fortius Physiotherapy & Wellness, 660 Garrison Road, Fort Erie
- Lakeside Books & Art, 341 Ridge Road North, Ridgeway
- Spacifix Esthetics Studio, 401 Ridge Road North, Ridgeway
- Windrose Health Centre, 224 Garrison Road Unit 11, Fort Erie
If you would like to make a financial donation or conduct a Personal Product Drive please email strongforterieneighbourhoods@gmail.com or call 289-321-9398.
Following is a list of personal products needed urgently.
| Products | |
| Bars of Soap | Incontinence pads – men |
| Shampoo | Incontinence pads – women |
| Toilet paper | Feminine pads |
| Toothpaste | Tampons |
| Dental floss | Hand sanitizer |
| Denture cleaner | Face masks |
| Denture fixative | Dish soap |
| Body lotion | Dryer sheets |
| Deodorant | Clothes detergent |
| Shaving cream | Surface cleaner |
| Disposable razors | Large garbage bags |
| Kitchen garbage bags |
Supporting the Personal Products Bank will make a real impact on the most vulnerable residents in our community.
photo: Garima Bakshi and Erin Hagar from Airbus Helicopters Canada present the generous results of the Airbus Personal Products drive to Mary Cooper (SFEN)
