Local regions dig deep for #ItsInTheBag campaign

THE Geelong, Surf Coast and Bellarine regions have excelled in this year’s #ItsInTheBag campaign with more than a thousand bags of donations pouring in from the start of November.

Australian women’s charity Share The Dignity has received extraordinary kindness from everyday Aussies when it comes to helping those living in crisis through the 2021 #ItsInTheBag campaign.

Share the Dignity’s annual #ItsInTheBag appeal ran throughout November and December to give women in need the gift of dignity this Christmas with donations continuing to trickle in.

Geelong, Bellarine, and Surf Coast locals were amongst the most generous throughout the campaign, donating 1,013 bags to this year’s campaign, which saw a total of 19,312 bags collected across Victoria.

More specifically, Leopold’s Bunnings Warehouse was responsible for receiving 324 bags of donations alone, with more to come.

Across the country, Share the Dignity collected over 93,000 bags, but charities requested over 135,000 bags, a target that was unable to be met due to the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Share the Dignity founder and managing director, Rochelle Courtenay, said while a donation deficit was predicted this year, it didn’t make it any easier to tell charities that their requests cannot be fulfilled.

“We know it’s been another challenging year for many Australians,” Ms Courtenay said.

“While we didn’t quite reach our target, we are so grateful for the incredible generosity of so many people who supported It’s In The Bag this year.

“These special donations will make many women and girls feel loved and cared for, and that’s something we all deserve.”

 

The #ItsInTheBag campaign was made possible thanks to Share the Dignity’s army of 5,000 volunteers, who worked tirelessly throughout the year to help those experiencing period poverty.

Local volunteer of the Bellarine and Geelong regions, Leoni Goodwin, is one of Share The Dignity’s ‘Sheroes’, who is tasked with busily dropping off donations to charities in time for Christmas.

“Volunteering for Share the Dignity during the It’s in the Bag Campaign, allows me to assist women in a meaningful way,” Ms Goodwin said.

“While assisting Share the Dignity, I am moved by people’s generosity in both the kindness and scope of their charity.”

Share The Dignity said there is still time to help. Residents across the regions can sponsor a bag from just $49 filled with life’s essentials for women.

This can be done by heading to www.sharethedignity.org.au/get-involved/sponsor-a-bag-21 and Share the Dignity will donate it directly to those in need.