At least, that has been the experience of Victoria Park mum Lenny Jacoby.
The renal nurse, who is taking time out from her career to raise a baby son, recently got chatting at her mothers’ group to a fellow mum who works at Ruah Community Services in West Perth.
What Mrs Jacoby discovered motivated her to email friends for help but, after some encouragement from her sister, created a Facebook event to appeal for items most needed by homeless women in Perth ” sanitary products and new underwear.
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READ NOWShe invited 60 friends to take part in the donation event ” Essentials for Women of Perth “ and within 48 hours more than 67,000 people had been invited.
In the past week, a major sanitary company has pledged to donate 1000 packs of panty liners. The campaign has also expanded to NSW.
‘I was a bit speechless,’ Mrs Jacoby said. ‘But it shows how much people do care and want to help others when asked.’
She had never thought how difficult it would be for women on the poverty line, including many homeless, to afford new underwear, let alone sanitary products.
‘I had never considered this and was horrified at the thought of not having sanitary products when I needed them each month,’ she said.
‘I thought I’d be able to inspire about 100 people to donate undies and sanitary products. I never imagined this.’
Underwear donations are an important part of the campaign, but there is one notable request ” nice underwear only.
‘It was interesting to hear that a lot of donated underwear is very daggy. You might say granny undies, instantly making them a little less appealing,’ Mrs Jacoby said.
‘It’s so simple and an essential item you wear every day, and yet taken for granted.
‘I would encourage people wanting to donate to think about the type of underwear they would choose for themselves.’ Since starting on October 15, the initiative has now expanded to include donations of underwear for men, women and children, sanitary products and essential toiletries including shampoo, conditioner, soap, razors and deodorant.