The It’s In The Bag appeal is calling on the community to bring some light to those struggling in what has already been a tough year.
“We know that due to COVID-19 we have seen an increase in unemployment, financial hardship and reports of domestic violence,” Share the Dignity Echuca regional leader Lauren Read said.
“Your donations will stay in Echuca, passed on to vulnerable women and girls in your community in need of our help.
“This bag will not only give them practical assistance, but also dignity and, most of all, hope.”
It’s In The Bag asks people to donate a handbag or backpack filled with some essential items — and some small luxuries — for women and girls in need.
“I’ve seen firsthand just how much happiness these bags have brought local women and girls,” Ms Read said.
“They simply can’t contain the joy they feel and we’ve all been moved to tears watching them receive the bags.”
Ms Read said she estimated they would need 100 handbags, 100 teen backpacks and 50 ‘mum and bub’ bags to meet demand in Echuca.
Echuca’s Cosgriff Lawyers partners with a charity each year for Christmas and this year recruited four other local businesses to join them in donating to the It’s In The Bag appeal.
“On the back of COVID-19, obviously the instances of domestic violence have increased and there was a real appeal to being able to give back to women in our local community,” Cosgriff Lawyers’ director Skye Engwerda said.
“This particular charity enables us to make a difference on the ground — we know women living in our local community will receive the bags.”
Cosgriff Lawyers, Hungry Goat, Michelle Theodore Catering, Senior Builders and Christy O’Brien will all aim to donate 10 bags each.
The businesses will be taking donations of items to fill the bags up until November 26.
Essential items such as sanitary pads and tampons, roll-on deodorant, shampoo, conditioner and soap could be included, as well a few small luxuries like lip balm, new socks or a magazine.
If you’d like to put together your own bag, they can be dropped off at the collection box at the Echuca Bunnings store between November 20 and November 29.
The bags will then be passed on to local charities and distributed to those who need them the most.
The charity is also in desperate need of volunteers in Echuca to help collect and sort the bags. If you’re interested in helping out, please visit www.sharethedignity.org.au/get-involved/volunteer
More information on the It’s In The Bag campaign is available at www.sharethedignity.org.au/event/its-in-the-bag
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