Donations are a drive for dignity

April, Natalie, Hayley and Mia from Bunnings Pakenham show their support for Share the Dignity. 175481_03 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

By Kyra Gillespie

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of one woman, more than 1200 women and girls experiencing homelessness will now experience the joy of Christmas.
Andrews Community Kinder Parent Committee member Candice Evans has been collecting hundreds of bags for Share the Dignity’s Christmas donation drive called It’s in the Bag.
It’s in the Bag aims to provide pads and tampons, personal hygiene products and everyday luxuries to women and girls who are homeless, at risk or who are experiencing domestic violence.
The drive called for community members to fill a handbag with the essentials such as shampoo and conditioner, a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, deodorant and sanitary items.
Earlier this month, Bunnings Pakenham became a drop-off point for the collection drive, providing a simple yet meaningful way to donate essential items to women who are doing it tough.
Thanks to the combined efforts of Bunnings and the kinder, more than 1200 bags were collected.
“I’ve had hundreds of bags sitting in my garage, I can’t wait to finally hand them over,” Ms Evans said with a laugh.
“Nine hundred and forty bags have been delivered to Pakenham charities and the rest have been sent on the Dignity train to rural areas.
“It’s such a small gesture that will go a long way for someone doing it tough this Christmas.”
Windermere are among the local charities who received the handbags.
“The donations we received from our local community and groups like Share the Dignity, really do make a difference,” Family Violence Program and Homelessness Support Services specialist Ella Hope said.
“The bags allow us to fill an immediate gap providing victims with much needed personal care items, when they have potentially fled the family home with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
“It shows victims and survivors that people do care.”