Share the Dignity is calling on all Victorians, including those in Hume and Whittlesea, to make a donation as part of the ‘It’s in the Bag’ Christmas appeal, as new research reveals over a third of women are worried about affording presents this Christmas.
A new survey has revealed 39 per cent of Australian women are worried about affording Christmas presents this year, with Australian charity, Share the Dignity seeing a steady increase in demand from their charity partners for their annual Christmas appeal, ‘It’s in the Bag’.
This November, Share the Dignity is calling on Victoria 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 for Christmas through the ‘It’s in the Bag’campaign.
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 any Bunnings store nationwide from November 10, until November 26.
Share the Dignity’s recent survey of 3,648 Australian women, found living without basic essentials was a widespread issue with almost 20 per cent going without the basic essentials included in ‘It’s in the Bag’ donations due to cost.
While the number of people affected by the rising cost of living is concerning, Share the Dignity founder and managing director, Rochelle Courtenay said she was hopeful donations would increase after being significantly impacted over the past three years.
“Each year thousands of women and girls are waking up on Christmas morning in domestic violence refuges and homeless shelters. For many, an ‘It’s in the Bag’ might be the only gift they receive for Christmas,” Ms Courtenay said.
“For the past three years, we have received on average 30,000 fewer bags compared to pre-covid numbers. It breaks my heart to think 30,000 vulnerable women and girls aren’t receiving an ‘It’s in the Bag’ donation and are instead going without basic essentials like period products, a toothbrush and soap.
“For those who can afford to give, I urge you to put an ‘It’s in the Bag’ together this year. You never know who in your life could be experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, or be struggling to make ends meet, so please help a woman in need this Christmas.
“This year we are expecting to receive 140,000 charity requests and I truly hope we can meet these requests to ensure women and girls in need wake up on Christmas to receive a handbag full of hope and love.”
Kim Hamson knows firsthand the impact an ‘It’s in the Bag’ donation can have, having received a bag after fleeing domestic violence with her daughter with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
“When fleeing domestic violence, by the time you’ve fled you are on rock bottom, you have no self-worth, you have no hope, you have nothing. Your soul is gone. So for a bag to arrive on Christmas, when it is the only gift you might receive, it is life-changing,” Ms Hamson said.
“To this day I still use the same brand of shampoo that was in the bag. The smell makes me feel safe, reminds me how lucky I was that day to receive the bag, and reminds me that there is hope.
“When you put together a bag you will change someone’s life for a month, for a year, for the rest of their life, because that bag gives you hope when you don’t feel like you are worth anything.”
Share the Dignity VIC Volunteer Team Leader Donna Levinson-Murray said she hoped to see more Victoria residents rally behind the cause to help vulnerable women and girls in need.
“We are expecting another year of big requests from our partner charities in Victoria, particularly with the cost of living rising and the greater need in the community,” Ms Levinson-Murray said.
“We are asking the local Victorian community to support women and girls in need by donating a bag filled with essential items to their local Bunnings store to make it a special Christmas for all.
“To make a difference in other ways, please take a look at sponsoring a bag online or volunteering your time with us.”
Those wanting to support women and girls like Kim and her daughter can drop-off an ‘It’s in the Bag’ donation to their nearest Bunnings store from November 10-26, Sponsor a Bag online, or register to become a Share the Dignity volunteer. Donations will be distributed to Australians in need in time for Christmas via Share the Dignity’s 3000 charity partners.
