Milestone approaches for critical community campaign

Share the Dignity’s It’s in the Bag Christmas appeal is celebrating its 10th anniversary with the Mount Gambier store a key part of the critical campaign.

Bags can be donated at any Bunnings store nationwide from this Friday until Sunday, December 1.

As Australian charity Share the Dignity marks the tenth anniversary of its It’s in the Bag Christmas appeal, it is on track to receive its one-millionth donation — a significant milestone representing one million vulnerable women and girls in Australia who have received a bag filled with essential items.

Each November, Share the Dignity calls on Australians to help women and girls facing homelessness, domestic violence, or poverty by donating a bag filled with essentials. These donations provide more than just essential items; they offer love, dignity, and hope at a time when it’s most needed.

The initiative encourages everyday Australians to fill a bag with essential items such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, and period products. Filled bags can be dropped off at decorated collection boxes at the front of any Bunnings store nationwide until December 1.

This year, Share the Dignity is aiming to collect at least 85,000 bags, with charity partners reporting a sharp rise in demand for period products this year. This surge is expected to continue in the lead up to Christmas with It’s in the Bag, making the support from the community more vital than ever.

Share the Dignity founder and managing director, Rochelle Courtenay said she was hopeful at least 85,000 women and girls would receive a gift of love and hope this Christmas.

“Together over the last ten years we have helped ensure almost one million women and girls who are waking up on Christmas morning in domestic violence refuges and homeless shelters have the dignity they deserve. For many, an It’s in the Bag was the only gift they received, and it gave them hope to keep going,” Ms Courtenay said.

“This year I hope that together we can ensure at least 85,000 more vulnerable women and girls receive a gift of love and hope this Christmas to ensure they aren’t having to go without basic essentials like period products, a toothbrush and soap.

“I know times are tough for so many, but if you can, I urge you to put an It’s in the Bag together or to get together with your bestie and pack one together. With our Bloody Big Survey revealing some eye-opening statistics, you never know who in your life may be impacted, so please, help someone in need this Christmas.”

Amy* knows firsthand the impact an It’s in the Bag donation can have, having received a bag for her and her daughter after fleeing their family home.

“That bag was a very big turning point in my life, we had not come out of a good situation when we received our bags,” Amy said.

“I didn’t wash my own hair for 2.5 years. If I had gotten into the shower without telling him or tried to wash my own hair, he would break through the ensuite locked door and rip the shower screens off. It got to the point where I was too scared to not tell him.

“When I left, I had to rebuild our lives again. The impact that he had on me and my daughter mentally and emotionally, you can’t reverse that.

“The bag restores your faith in humanity that not all people are like this. I had a lot of difficulty having showers and there was shampoo and body wash that I hadn’t bought because I was so scared. The bag restores your dignity and self-worth.”

Bunnings chief customer officer Rachael McVitty said they were proud to be supporting Share The Dignity this year with collection boxes at all of their Australian stores, welcoming It’s in the Bag donations for vulnerable women and girls in need.

“It’s an incredible achievement for Share the Dignity to mark its tenth year of It’s in the Bag, and we’re humbled to have been able to help over the past eight years,” she said.

“This year, we’re aiming to help Share the Dignity collect their millionth bag and are encouraging anyone who is able to donate to put together a bag filled with essentials and drop it at your local Bunnings from Friday 15 November until Sunday 1 December. If you’re short on time, we’ve also got the option to buy a virtual bag through our website.”

Those wanting to support women and girls like Amy and her daughter can drop-off an It’s in the Bag donation to their nearest Bunnings store, 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.

Visit www.sharethedignity.org.au/itsinthebag for more information on how to pack an It’s in the Bag for women, teens and mums & bubs.

*Not her real name