The Hygiene Initiative

April 8, 2022

Academics

GNS

The Middle School Round Square’s new action originally started out as an initiative against Pink Tax, a gender-based pricing practice in which feminine or pink products are typically more expensive than masculine or blue products, despite being made of the same materials. While planning out the details, however, the MS Round Square decided to make the initiative inclusive of everyone, eventually renaming it the Hygiene Initiative.

The hygiene initiative focuses on providing personal care and hygiene products to those who cannot afford them themselves. Personal hygiene is an important part of maintaining healthy habits and is good for mental health because if you look good, you feel good!

Without proper personal hygiene products, there is a higher risk of contracting illnesses as the body can become the ideal environment for bacteria and viruses to grow and spread. Over 2.4 billion people around the world do not have access to and are not able to afford personal hygiene and care products. Due to financial struggles, people are often forced to prioritize shelter, food, and clothing over self-care.

From April 6 to April 22, our community can help by donating new and unopened hygiene and care products such as deodorant, soap or body wash, shampoo and hair conditioner, tampons and pads, hand sanitizer, tissues, and more (see full list below)! Each homeform will be provided with a bin to collect donations. You can also help by dropping off monetary donations at the Middle School office.

As well as collecting donations, MS Round Square will also be selling individually packaged candy, bracelets, drinks and freezies. Time and locations will be announced on the Middle School Snapshot, so be on the lookout!

All donations and profits will go to Our Place Society, a non-profit organization based in Greater Victoria. Our Place is dedicated to helping Victoria’s most vulnerable, including people struggling with homelessness, mental health challenges, substance use, the working poor, and the impoverished elderly.

Complete List of Acceptable Unused Products for Donation: