A gently used purse or backpack filled with personal necessities would go a long way in making a difference to a woman or youth in crisis.
The Fill a Purse for a Sister Campaign has kicked off its fifth annual drive with a goal to collect 12,000 purses and backpacks for women and youth in shelters and crisis centres across the country.
“Most of us take our purses everywhere with us, but most women in shelters don’t have a purse,” said campaign founder Angel Freedman. “The Fill a Purse for a Sister Campaign not only provides women and youth with a purse or backpack to call their own, but also the gift of dignity.”
The campaign began in York Region and Toronto in 2014 with a modest collection of 1,500 new and gently used purses filled with personal necessities being donated to a few shelters across the Greater Toronto Area.
The drive has grown every year since, with more than 10,000 purses collected throughout the province and in campaigns springing up in communities across Canada and around the globe last year.
In Greater Sudbury, individuals, community organizations, schools and businesses are encouraged to get involved in this year’s campaign, which runs until Dec. 1.
“The need continues to grow, along with the number of people who are joining the campaign and sending a message of caring and hope to women and young people in need,” said Leanna Bouthillette, community lead for Sudbury and North East.
Local recipients of the donations include Generva House women’s shelter, the Canadian Mental Health Association, the Samaritan Centre, Foyer Notre Dame, Cedar Place women's shelter, Sudbury Women Centre, Homeless Network Sudbury, and Centre Victoria Pour Femmes, among others.
The gift of a purse — and seeing the care and thoughtfulness that went into filling it with necessities that many of us take for granted — can help boost the confidence of a woman at a shelter who is working to rebuild her life, according to the shelters.
While the purses and backpacks are filled with practical items, from tissues to tampons, and the usual essentials, from lip balm and gum to gift cards and hair clips, shelter employees say the heartfelt personal note many donors also include is particularly appreciated.
Drop-off location in Sudbury include Ramakko's, Northern Smiles Dental Hygiene Clinic, C & R Roofing, Contractor's Wholesale, Centre Victoria de Femme, RPM Automotive and Leather Works Plus.
The Fill a Purse for a Sister Campaign is now also seeking support for its initiative to become a registered charity able to provide tax receipts, in response to requests from businesses wishing to support the growing movement with donations of items, as well as money. You can visit the GoFundMe page for more information.
To contribute to the campaign, simply fill a new or gently used purse or backpack with toiletries, sanitary products and other personal items. Add your own special touch, such as a scarf, gloves, notebook or journal, or gift card.
You can host a Fill a Purse for a Sister Campaign party or event to involve your family, friends, neighbours, colleagues or classmates.
For more information about how to get involved or to volunteer as a community lead, or find out where to drop off donations in your community, visit Fill a Purse for a Sister Campaign on Facebook or Instagram. #FillaPurseForASisterCampaign
