It can be a challenge for any woman on a budget to purchase a good quality purse. It is even more difficult when that woman is facing challenges and struggles in her life, and has to use the services of a women’s shelter.
#thepurseproject aims to help those women most in need, by providing gently-used purses that also include much-needed items such as toiletries and other necessities.
“My sister from Regina had needed a new purse, and I told her that instead of going shopping to look at the extra purses in my closet. She then mentioned how many women’s shelters are always short on purses because there is a high demand,” said Leslie Dempsey, who started #thepurseproject.
The idea originated that a few gently-used purses would be collected from the community, and filling them with toiletries, feminine hygiene products and other incidentals that any woman might want to have in their purse.
“Then we decided that we would expand the project and ask the ladies in our church to donate their gently-used purses.”
“I also placed a notice on Facebook, and that is when everything exploded because of the generosity of the community.”
Earlier in the week, many volunteers with #thepurseproject gathered to sort through their donations, and at that time they had already collected 141 purses and wallets.
In addition to all the purses and wallets that were collected, after all the donations were sorted there were also boxes of toothbrushes, soap, shampoo and conditioner, lotion, diapers, and feminine hygiene products.
“Because of the success of the project, we want to continue this for the whole month of December and possibility into the new year,” said Dempsey.
“There continues to be a need for these purses at these women’s shelters.”
There have been many touching moments for Leslie through the whole process of #thepurseproject.
“I have had many conversations about the less fortunate, met a lot of new people, shed some tears and have hugged complete strangers,” said Dempsey.
“There were also some great inspirations. This project had given the opportunity for a mother to have a honest talk with her 13-year-old about people who are in less fortunate circumstances. It was a great bonding experience, especially since that teen deals with peer pressure sometimes about having brand name items.”
Leslie added that anyone who is interested in donating a gently-used purse or other items are encouraged to contact her.
Darla Peterson was one of the many people who helped in the sorting of all the donated items.
“I am just blown away by how generous the community has been for this project,” said Peterson.
“It seems that whenever the residents of Weyburn and area find out about a need in our community, those residents come together and donate.”
“It is such a blessing to be a part of this project.”
It was especially touching to see the quality of some of the donated purses, since the majority of them were in good condition and well cared for.
“Some of the women who need the services of a shelter wouldn’t even be able to walk into a second-hand store and buy a purse,” said Dempsey.
“So this way, they are getting a really nice gift, and they would be able to choose a purse that fits their lifestyle.”
“Each purse will be filled with much-needed necessities, and they will get a little note so these women can know that there is someone out there who does care for them.”
“We are also giving them a Bible in each of the purses,” said Peterson. Darla felt it was important that each woman knew that God was also thinking about them and watching over them.
Anyone who wants to be involved with this project can contact Leslie Dempsey on Facebook. They also can use the #thepurseproject hashtag on Twitter to get involved with the conversation.
