The initiative is in its ninth year and encourages people to pay it forward by filling a bag with a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, soap, roll-on-deodorant and period products – as well as optional extras such as lip balm, socks or a handwritten note.
Bags filled with essentials can be dropped off at Lidcombe Bunnings until Sunday, November 26.
In Australia, an estimated 2.7 million Australian women had experienced family or domestic violence, and an estimated 53,974 women were homeless in 2021, according to the most recent ABS stats on personal safety.
While the number of people affected by the rising cost of living is concerning, Share the Dignity founder Rochelle Courtenay said she was hopeful donations would increase after being impacted over the past three years due to covid.
“Each year thousands of women and girls are waking up on Christmas morning in domestic violence refuges and shelters and for many, an ‘It’s in the Bag’ might be the only gift they receive for Christmas,” she said.
Festive cheer in bag
SHARE the Dignity charity is calling on residents to ensure women and girls spending Christmas in domestic violence refuges, homeless shelters or living in poverty, receive basic essentials and the gift of love and hope through the ‘It’s in the Bag’ campaign.
