While we all use it, few talk about it … but what happens when a limited budget means choosing between food and toilet paper?
It was a scenario presented to Morgan Pierce when he toured a Kingston, Ont. foodbank that Pearce’s mother used for a time in his youth. As he chatted with food bank patrons, he asked the question: What’s the one thing you’d most like to receive? Expecting to hear milk or bread, overwhelmingly, the answer was toilet paper.
Pierce shared the story with friend Shaun Cerisano and TP the Town was born.
Three years ago Cerisano brought the event to Victoria, where it’s hosted by the Prodigy Group, a group of emerging professionals connected with the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce.
In TP the Town’s first two years, volunteers collected a total of 65,000 rolls. This year, they aim for 50,000!
“The response has been absolutely phenomenal,” Cerisano says.
“Every time we’re at an event or I’ll make a speech about TP the Town, someone will come up and tell me how they went through a time in their life when they couldn’t afford necessities like toilet paper. It’s more prevalent than we think.”
But you can make a difference.
Step 1. Visit participating stores. On Oct. 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. five local grocery stores will offer discounted prices on a toilet paper product: Country Grocer in Royal Oak and Esquimalt, and Save-on-Foods at Fort and Foul Bay roads, Saanich Centre/Uptown and at the Westside Village.
Step 2. Shop and save. Head to the in-store TP the Town toilet paper display where you can pick up a pack or two and enjoy the savings for yourself.
Step 3. Donate. While you’re at it, pick up an extra package or two to drop with volunteers at the store entrance. Hendra Moving and Storage will be on hand at the end of the day to load up all the donations and take them to the Mustard Seed, where they’ll be distributed throughout the year to families in need.
Step. 4. Options! Can’t participante Oct. 14? ACME Janitorial is offering a special to those wanting to help: a large package of toilet paper, usually selling for $25, will be available for just $18. Even better, they’ll drop it off directly with the Mustard Seed.
Step 5. Volunteer. Support those in need by volunteering a few hours – talk to customers about TP the Town and accept donations from shoppers. If you have a few hours to spare, email danielle.fullwood@prodigygroup.ca. Students are also welcome, but those under age 18 must volunteer with an adult.
For more information about TP the Town or how you can help, email Shaun Cerisano shaun.cerisano@prodigygroup.ca or call 250-514-2323.
