The economic and financial impacts of COVID-19 has meant that even more women are having to make the choice between buying food or sanitary items, with Share the Dignity reporting a 54 per cent increase in the number of charities registering for the August Dignity Drive, when compared to the previous Drive held earlier this year.

Woolworths customers across NSW donated more than 12,100 sanitary products towards the March Dignity Drive. These products were then distributed to girls and women who cannot afford to buy sanitary items.

The August Dignity Drive will run across all Woolworths Supermarkets and Metro stores nationally, giving customers the opportunity to donate sanitary items via collection boxes in store.

Woolworths will also donate five cents from the sale of pads, tampons and liners in August to Share the Dignity, to help the charity fund more Dignity vending machines that dispense free sanitary items to women experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or facing difficult circumstances.

"COVID-19 continues to have a profound impact on communities across Australia and it's so important that we come together to help those in need during these difficult times. Through no fault of their own, more women and girls in Manning and Great Lakes are not going to be able to afford basic essentials and will have to resort to toilet paper, socks or washers to deal with their period," said Leanne Pitt-Barile, volunteer state leader NSW.

"Together with Woolworths Forster, Taree and Tuncurry, we're calling on the local community to support our August Dignity Drive by purchasing their sanitary items at Woolworths or donating what products they can to our collection boxes. Each donation is so valuable to us and will go towards supporting the lives of women across NSW."