“I tried the Sandy codeword package on four different Morrisons to see if it worked.”

A woman visited four different Morrisons stores to try out the ‘Bundle for Sandy’ code, an anti-poverty initiative launched by the supermarket chain last year

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What happened when I asked for “a package for Sandy” at four Morrisons stores

As the cost of living crisis continues to affect the lives of many, the problem of poverty in old age has become even more pressing.

With this in mind, reporter Bethan Shufflebotham visited four Morrisons stores in North Staffordshire and South Cheshire to see if the supermarket chain’s old age poverty program was really working.

Launched last year by Morrison’s Community Champion Emma Parkinson, the Package for Sandy initiative has now rolled out to 497 stores nationwide and aims to be as discreet as possible.

Anyone in urgent need of toiletries should simply ask customer service for a “Package for Sandy” and they will be able to provide the items they need.

In an article for StokeonTrent Live, Bethan wrote about how she tested this policy at four Morrisons stores to see how well it was properly implemented.

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Walking into the first store, Bethan admitted she was a little “nervous.” Although there was no one at the customer service desk, she says it didn’t take long for an employee to come and help her.

After asking about the package, the clerk pulled a brown paper bag from a filing cabinet marked with the word “Sandy” and took, in Bethan’s words, “less time than it took me to reverse into the parking lot.”

Bethan said, “I was thrilled with the success and speed of the program.

“If I had really been caught without a sanitary napkin I would have been very grateful, but instead I explained that I was a journalist and wanted to know if the initiative was working, and returned the package for someone who really needed it.”

At the second store, Bethan noticed that someone was already at the front desk. Once again, her mission was successful, and the associate brought her two brown packages.

According to Bethan, “Each package for Sandy comes with two individual sanitary napkins, which is enough to get you through your grocery store and home without major disaster.

“I thought it was very generous that the clerk offered me two packages addressed to Sandy.”

When she reached branch three, Bethan was “really positive” about how successful the program seemed to be. The counter was a bit busier this time, but given the code’s discretion, she had no problem asking in front of other customers.

She added, “I loved that all of these interactions lasted less than 60 seconds, meaning anyone worried about ruining an outfit and possibly feeling embarrassed wouldn’t suffer for long.”

It wasn’t until Bethan reached the fourth and final store that she ran into trouble. Again, although the saleswoman knew about the scheme, after looking in the filing cabinet, she informed her that they were going out.

Overall, however, Bethan was pleased, writing, “I was semi-disappointed that I hadn’t achieved a 100% success rate, but thrilled that this is clearly a program used by members of the public and is serving its intended purpose.

“I was impressed that every member of staff I asked knew about the initiative and could help me without embarrassment or disparagement.

“I’m really thrilled to know that if I – or anyone else – happens to need a pad, Morrisons is here to help, no questions asked.”

Do you have a story to tell related to period poverty? We pay for stories. Email us at julia.banim@reachplc.com