'Purse Project' aims to provide sanitary products to at-risk Ottawa women

A new initiative this holiday seasonis aiming to bring purses filled with tampons, sanitary pads, toothbrushes and other hygienic items to at-risk and low-incomewomen in Ottawa.

This December, the Purse Project has been gathering donated bags and satchelsfilled with hygiene products that will be distributed atlocal shelters and women's organizations.

"Often they have to choose between food and sanitary products. And every time, food and shelter win," said Heidi Danson, the project's co-founder.

More than 3,000 purses donated

Danson said her initial goal was to receive 50 purses but the Purse Project"quickly crushed" that figure. They'venowreceived more than 3,000 pursesfilled with items like tampons, toothbrushes, socks, and other personal items, she said.

An entireroom's been set aside at thethe Ottawa Police Service's Elgin Street headquarters to store all the purses.

"Some of them are quite nice.They're very well stocked," said Danson. "There are a lot of women that are going to really appreciate this [gift] this Christmas."

'Breaking the silence'

Det.Sylvie Reaney, Danson's partner in the purse project, said she first had hereyes opened tothe struggles facing women in developing countries who lack access to sanitary products while she worked this summer on hermaster's degree in public ethics.

It was throughconversations with Dansonthat she realizedsimilar challenges exist righthere in Ottawa.

"It's a good fit for thepolice because the police, I mean,they deal with homeless people all the time on the streets, women that havebeen abused," said Reaney.

"[The project] is breaking the silence as far as sanitary needs go and hygiene. I'm sure a lot of people just don't think about those needs for women," saidReaney.

Gloria Hogan has been coming for decades to St. Luke's Table, one of the Ottawa charities where people can still drop off purses.She says many people don't realize how expensive hygienic items can be for someone on a fixed income.

"They're so expensive nowadays. For someone on [disability] or welfare, it's very expensive just to go buy something you really need."

People still interested in contributing can drop off their purses at a number of Ottawa shelters and community organizations, including St. Luke's Table, theYoung Women's Shelter, Cornerstone Housing for Women, and the Wabano Centre.