Hastings residents are being encouraged to fill handbags for women in need this Christmas as part of the #itsinthebag campagin.
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It’s in the Bag is a Share the Dignity campaign which aims to help brighten the lives of homeless women, women at risk and women who have fled domestic violence in the area.
The campaign is run all around Australia and Dr Janice Ollerton, a Share the Dignity volunteer and a member of the Point Community Church in Port Macquarie, said after last year’s effort, the church was keen to support the campaign again this year.
“As a group, we decided we wanted to take part in the campaign again, and as whole church there are lots of us who are helping put bag packs together.
“In addition to collecting filled handbags at church, some bible study groups are also getting together to pack handbags, including mine,” Dr Ollerton said.
To take part, the bags are to be stocked with necessary products for women, with a few luxury items included as well.
“My bible study group brought loads items to fill the bags with including shampoo and conditioner, soap, face washers, deodorant, pads and tampons, brushes, sunglasses, scarves, hand sanitizer, jewellery as well as a toothbrush and toothpaste,” she said.
On November 22, Dr Ollerton, on behalf of her bible study group donated 27 filled bags to Mission Australia.
“27 doesn’t sound like a great deal, but we are just at the beginning of the campaign and after over 400 were made last year, we hope the community can come together and help again,” she said.
Mission Australia’s Area Manager for the Mid North Coast, Kellie Ansell, said that Mission Australia are grateful they are to be the recipients for bags in the area for the second year in a row.
“We are so appreciative to be able to help so many of our clients during the festive period and we are gladly accepting bag donations again this year.
“By being able to given women in need one of these bags, we hope they can end the year of a positive note and give them some hope for the new year,” Ms Ansell said.
For residents wishing to take part in the campagin, for more information click here, or to drop off packed bags there are collection points at Bunnings Port Macquarie and the Commonwealth Bank branches at Port Macquarie, Wauchope and Laurieton.
The campaign ends on December 2.