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Free condoms: In protest to Ave Maria store not selling them
June 19, 2009, Naples Daily News
NAPLES — Planned Parenthood of Collier County will have volunteers handing out free condoms on Friday in the parking lot of two Publix stores in protest of the Publix at Ave Maria deciding not to carry condoms.
"We’re having our condom brigade handing out condoms to meet the public’s need to engage in safe sex and to prevent pregnancy," said Char Wendel, chief executive officer of the Planned Parenthood.
The volunteers will be in the parking lots at the Publix in the Naples Shopping Plaza on U.S. 41 across from Coastland Center mall, and the Publix at Pine Ridge Crossing Center at Airport-Pulling and Pine Ridge roads. The volunteers will be handing out the condoms from 10 a.m. until noon.
Wendel couldn’t estimate of how many free condoms will be handed out, but 74,000 condoms are given out for free each year at Planned Parenthood’s front counter at 1425 Creech Road.
Wendel said she is not aware of any other Publix store not selling condoms to the public until the new Publix at Ave Maria opened at Ave Maria on Thursday.