For thousands of women and children fleeing domestic violence or experiencing homelessness, receiving basic necessities feels like a Christmas miracle.
Australian period poverty charity Share the Dignity is hoping to deliver 150,000 of these miracles through its ‘It’s in the Bag’ campaign.
The charity is calling for bag donations filled with unopened essential items, including a toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, roll-on or solid deodorant, soap or body wash and period products to restore dignity and hope to these women and children for Christmas.
Donations are needed to support a surge in requests from more than 3000 registered charity partners.
Gemma, a previous recipient, said the bag made he feel “seen and heard” the day she was forced to flee her home with her children, and only being able to gather what she could carry for them on the way out.
“When you leave, you're thinking about packing the kids' things, packing what you need to get to the next place ... it's all about them and their safety,” she said.
“You don't think about yourself.
“It's in the Bag thinks about the necessities ... the little things.”
Share the Dignity founder Rochelle Courtenay said although the organisation could never meet demand, it was trying to close the gap.
“It’s devastating to know that for every bag donated, there’s another woman we can’t reach,” she said.
“We have already begun the horrible task of preparing our charities for the worst because the requests have increased so drastically.
“Until the system changes we’ll keep showing up, because we can’t change their circumstances but we can change their Christmas.”
Bunnings chief customer officer Rachael McVitty said the store was proud to support Share the Dignity with the Christmas appeal, hosting collection boxes for bag donations at more than 300 stores.
Anyone wanting to support women and girls facing homelessness, domestic violence or poverty can drop off filled bags to their nearest Bunnings store until November 30, sponsor a bag online, or register to become a Share the Dignity volunteer.