SHARE the Dignity is holding its 'It’s in the Bag' Christmas appeal for the tenth year in a row and invite the local community to donate a bag to help women and girls across the country. Each November Share the Dignity holds the appeal where members of the community can donate a bag of essential items, including pads, tampons, shampoo, conditioner and deodorants, to help women and girls facing homelessness, domestic violence, or poverty. Regional lead for Share the Dignity North East, Leeonie Williams, said with the rising cost of living, it’s more important than ever to support women in our community. “Could you imagine having to leave your home and having nothing or been put in a position where you can't afford to buy a pad or tampon?” she said. That story is a very real for a lot of women every day. “These bags give a sense of hope that someone actually cares, it can be quiet overwhelming for some to receive a bag.” Ms Williams said last year they made around 572 bags locally and will be accepting bag and individual items to be packed and donated to women and girls who needed them. To help pack the individual items, a packing event will be held in Beechworth this Sunday, December 1 at the old Railway Station in Beechworth. The packing event will take place from 10am to 4pm and members of the community are invited to come for any amount of time to help pack bags and have provided lunch and nibbles when they are finished. “The packing event is a way of engaging the communities in what it is to be a part of the charity, to support those in their communities,” Ms Williams said. Ms Williams also said she is open to any other businesses who would like to do a packing day contacting her on 0439 600 635. For more information on the appeal, visit https://www.sharethedignity.org.au/itsinthebag and to learn more about becoming a volunteer visit https://www.sharethedignity.org.au/get-involved/volunteer.
