Ottawa, 29 June 2021

Women’s Shelters Canada is thrilled to accept the donation of more than 13,000 face masks and filters from Vistaprint and coordinate distribution to women’s shelters across the country.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, shelters for women and children fleeing violence have struggled with higher demands for their service and fewer opportunities to fundraise,” Executive Director of Women’s Shelters Canada Lise Martin said. “Coupled with shortages of face masks and other PPE, especially during the early months of the pandemic, this generous donation from Vistaprint fills a large, national need.”

The face masks and filters come in sizes for both children and adults. They are being distributed to shelters across 9 provinces, in urban, rural, and Indigenous communities. The masks are being provided both to women and children temporarily living in the shelter, those receiving outreach services, and shelter staff.

“As communities across Canada begin to reopen, we know that organizations like Women’s Shelters Canada remain an integral resource for women and children during times of great need,” Vistaprint North America President Emily Whittaker said. “We’re proud to provide these face masks and filters to thousands of women and their children who are finding safety in women’s shelters and transition houses, as well as volunteers and staff as they support and serve communities across Canada.”

Women’s Shelters Canada has continuously stayed in touch with shelters across the country regarding their needs and has coordinated several national in-kind donations. Face masks, PPE, and sanitation and cleaning products have consistently been at the top of the list. Other needs include gift cards, new unopened personal care products including menstrual supplies, new linens, and new clothing.

Those who would like to make a financial or in-kind donation to their local shelter can use WSC’s national online directory, www.sheltersafe.ca, to find a nearby shelter and its individual website. WSC recommends always contacting the shelter by phone or email to find out what their specific needs are before donating physical goods. Those interested in making a national donation coordinated through Women’s Shelters Canada can contact the organization at info@endvaw.ca.

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ABOUT WOMEN’S SHELTERS CANADA

Women’s Shelters Canada brings together 14 provincial and territorial shelter organizations and supports the over 600 shelters across the country for women and children fleeing violence. If you or someone you know is experiencing violence, you can find your nearest women’s shelter and its crisis line on www.sheltersafe.ca.

ABOUT VISTAPRINT

Vistaprint is the marketing and design partner to millions of small businesses around the world, empowering each one to live their dreams. For more than 20 years, we have helped small businesses look and feel credible through high-quality marketing products and solutions that include signage, logo apparel, promotional products, face masks, flyers, postcards, business cards, websites and digital marketing. With Vistaprint, small businesses are able to create and customize their marketing with easy-to-use digital tools and design templates, or by receiving expert graphic design support. In 2020, Vistaprint acquired 99designs to expand its design offering via a worldwide community of more than 150,000 talented freelance designers to make it easy for designers and clients to work together to create designs they love.  Vistaprint is focused on making great marketing and design accessible to every small business owner, allowing them to create a cohesive brand image for use in-store, online and on-the-go. To learn more, visit: www.vistaprint.ca. Vistaprint is a Cimpress company (Nasdaq: CMPR).

For media enquiries, contact:

Kaitlin Bardswich, Communications and Development Manager, Women’s Shelters Canada
kbardswich@endvaw.ca

Hilary Waks, Small Girls PR
Vistaprint@smallgirlspr.com