Specially-packed handbags are popping up underneath Christmas trees across the state as Share the Dignity launches its annual It’s in the Bag campaign.
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Running until December 3, the campaign encourages Tasmanians to donate handbags filled with sanitary products, which are then delivered to homeless women and women in domestic violence shelters in time for Christmas.
Beaconsfield’s West Tamar Pharmacy has already begun collecting bags for the appeal, which pharmacist Borys Szydlowski says was incredibly well-supported last year.
“This is our second year and the beauty of it is that all of the goods we collect do go out to local people in need,” Mr Szydlowski said.
“It’s really nice around this time of year because many of us do have it hard at Christmas, I think it’s a really good little initiative.”
Beaconsfield aged care worker Rosemary Launder was one of a number of Tasmanians who helped donate 480 packed bags for last year’s appeal.
“It goes to a good cause and it supports the locals,” Mrs Launder said.
“I just like to do it, and it comes from the heart - I’ll do anything to help the community.”
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Having started out with an organising team of just three last year, the Tasmanian campaign has attracted an army of new volunteers to help out with conducting this year’s instalment.
Northern Tasmanian team leader Tania Ranson said more charities had come on board for the 2016 campaign, meaning there was a greater need for bag donations.
“A lot of the women we're trying to help are fleeing situations of domestic violence, so we just want them to have something special,” Mrs Ranson said.
“Women generally put their kids first and there's a lot of charities to help the children but there's not a lot who give a woman something at Christmas, so we make sure they all have one.”
Collection areas are available at a number of Northern businesses including Hamilton's Mower City, Victorias For Flowers, Trevallyn Grocer, West Tamar Pharmacy, LAFM and Chilli FM, Cleo Bagland, Rhubarb, Looking Great Beauty Salon and Explore Learning.
For a full list of participating retailers visit www.sharethedignity.com.au/tas-itsinthebag.html
