Over 2,500 menstrual products donated to Caledon Community Services

Silcotech, DIVA International team up to address period poverty

By ZACHARY ROMAN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A local business and one of its major partners teamed up to make a big donation to a local charity this week. 

On January 2, Caledon Community Services (CCS) announced that Bolton's Silcotech, and DIVA International, had donated 2,520 menstrual products to CCS to help the non-profit address period poverty in Caledon.

The products had a total retail value of over $80,000.

“Thank you Silcotech and DIVA, for championing menstrual equity in our community,” said CCS staff in a social media post.

Canadian women can spend over $6,000 on menstrual products in their lifetime, which can be a serious financial obstacle. The United Nations describes period poverty as “the struggle many low-income women and girls face while trying to afford menstrual products.” 

With today's high cost of living impacting many people CCS serves, the cost of menstrual products only adds an additional financial burden to many.

Silcotech creates liquid silicone moulded components and sub-assemblies, primarily for clients in the health care sector. One of its largest and longest partnerships has been with DIVA International, the company that creates the Diva Cup.

Carinne Chambers-Saini, the CEO of DIVA International, first announced there would be a donation of 2,500 Diva Cups to CCS at Silcotech's 25th anniversary event in October last year.

At that event, CCS CEO Geraldine Aguiar explained that Silcotech has long been a supporter of CCS. Silcotech holds an annual raffle that benefits CCS and has also sponsored events like the Velocity Ride for Caledon Seniors and Home for the Holidays Gala.

The Town of Caledon has also taken steps to reduce period poverty. Last February, it announced it would be offering free menstrual products in Town-operated facilities.

The announcement came after Council approved a staff report in 2022 that recommended Caledon offer free menstrual products.

The report noted the estimated operating costs to offer the products per year would be about $40,000, if at each product dispenser location in Town a product was taken five times a day.