Bissell Centre's Drop Your Gonch underwear drive exceeds goal

Amid concerns about missing the fundraising goal, Edmontonians stepped up to the plate in only a few days to raise more than $35,000 to buy underwear for people in need.

The money raised last week will pay for 11,880 pairs of underwear in the Bissell Centre's annual Drop Your Gonch campaign, whose goal this year was 10,000 pairs.

Until near the end, the community agency wasn't sure it was could even meet its goal this time. As of Thursday, two days from the deadline, the campaign was below 50 per cent of the target.

Bissell Centre spokesperson Scarlet Bjornson said she decided to put out another call, but understood that the pandemic had taken an economic toll, and many wouldn't be able to give as much. The centre's community closet was completely bare of undergarments.

“We were concerned that we weren't going to meet it, and that was the first time during the pandemic that we've actually had that concern,” Bjornson said. “People have been extremely generous, especially during these hard times, and so people are giving where they can,” she said in an interview Sunday.

“Not everyone's returning back to work, so there's still a lot of economic pressures.”

Soon after Thursday's call for help, monetary donations started to trickle in, including a surprise one of $2,000.

The money raised will purchase 11,880 boxers, briefs and bras.

That doesn't include newly purchased underwear that has been dropped off at 15 community volunteer locations, so the tally is expected to increase next week, Bjornson said.

“Edmontonians took it from there and they always go above and beyond for our initiatives and anything we have on the go, and this was no different … we're just so pleased,” she said.

“It's such a special thing when people see a need out there in the community, even if all they can do is share the message and spread the word that there is a need.”

Bissell Centre staff will now make the purchases to restock supplies, which typically last until February.

But with more people becoming homeless in the pandemic, Bjornson said she wasn't sure if it will be the same this year.

About 2,500 people are now homeless in Edmonton.