A BENDIGO organisation working to end period poverty is on the lookout for new volunteers ahead of its latest collection drive.
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Lauren Read, Share the Dignity's regional leader for the Bendigo area, said they were after people who were willing to give even a small amount of time to the cause.
"Volunteers are essential to the work Share the Dignity does in Bendigo and we would love to hear from anyone who is interested in helping," she said.
"There are no commitments. Most of our volunteers have full time jobs and families. They give whatever time they can during our campaigns to help collect, sort, or distribute donations.
"You just need to be over 18, have access to the internet, and a real desire to help others in your community.
"It's an incredibly rewarding experience to know that you are helping make a real practical difference to a person in need."
The volunteer call-out comes ahead of Share the Dignity's It's the Bag drive, which will take place from November 19 to November 28.
People are encouraged to donate new or excellent quality used bags filled with essential toiletries.
"There are three types of bags - handbags, teen backpacks, and mum and bub bags - which will be distributed to service providers in Bendigo," Ms Read said.
"They will then be passed onto local people who may be escaping domestic abuse, experiencing financial hardship, or homelessness."
Bendigo residents will be able to donate the bags at Bunnings stores in Epsom and Kangaroo Flat.
Ms Read said there were a few essential items that were needed for the bags. They included:
- shampoo and conditioner
- toothbrush and toothpaste
- soap
- roll-on deodorant
- pads and tampons
"Then you can also add some thoughtful gifts, such as a card with kind words, a notebook and pen, make up, hand cream or lip balm - keeping in mind that all products in the bags must be new and unused," Ms Read said.
The regional leader said people could also donate the essential items individually if they could not pull together a full bag.
"These bags are a gift to the people that receive them - for some, it is the only Christmas gift they will receive," Ms Read said. "They not only offer practical support, they also offer hope.
"It shows the person receiving the bag that someone in their community cares. For someone in crisis, this gesture alone can mean the world."
For more information on the collection drive or how to volunteer, visit sharethedignity.org.au
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