Handbags For Hope gives essentials to women in need
A group of volunteers is hoping to pull some purse strings to brighten the spirits of women who have little to nothing to call their own for the holidays.
For the third year, the locally organized group Handbags for Hope is appealing to the community for donations of gently used purses to donate to female residents at local shelters, including The Bridges and Argus House.
It also is asking for donations of personal hygiene, feminine and beauty products to add to the purses.
Last year, 60 purses were filled with everything from tampons, deodorant and toothpaste to hair brushes and makeup.
Karen Monteiro of Cambridge’s Mortgage Alliance Maximum Results came up with the idea several years ago after researching charitable initiatives supporting women.
“I wanted to figure out something different that people aren’t doing around the area,” she said.
She stumbled across a charity in Australia that collected and donated basic need products and beauty items for women and delivered them in purses.
“There’s obviously a real need for this,” Monteiro said.
While its concept is simple, Handbags For Hope has gone a long way to supplying women with hygiene products to meet basic needs, as well as offering beauty products and quality recycled purses, which can help boost confidence.
And the beauty of it is that it’s an easy cause to support, said Monteiro.
“Almost everybody has a purse in their closet that they don’t want anymore.”
Some have donated purses already filled with hygiene and beauty products, she said. No purses will be donated empty, however.
“Whatever we’re missing, I go out and buy, so we make sure there’s something in everyone’s purse.”
Aside from purses, items that can be donated include soap, body lotion, toothbrushes and toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, feminine products, hairbrushes and elastics, perfumes, manicure sets and new, unused makeup.
Donations can be dropped off before Dec. 20 at Mortgage Alliance Maximum Results, at 195 Franklin Blvd., Unit 6.
Filled purses will then be distributed to women at local shelters.
For more information call 519-624-9222 or email victorian@maximumresults.ca.