When Lexi King got the idea to seek handbags filled with the basic necessities for the Griffith women’s refuge, she had no idea the response she would get.
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Just a week after posting the idea on Facebook, 27 handbags filled to the brim have already been donated, with more on the way.
She said she was blown away by all the support.
“I am very rarely speechless and even now I still can't really wrap my head around it,” she said.
“It's a bit overwhelming and it's the community that has done it, I just put it on Facebook.”
The generosity hasn’t ended with just the basics either.
“A new brush, new comb, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, shampoo - all of it’s being donated,” she said.
“A lot of people are putting in that little bit extra as well.
“One lady put in earnings, I've put a scarf in one, so just little treats that they don't buy themselves because they just don't have that money.”
Along with the 27 handbags already donated, they have more bags coming from Hay, Coleambally, Leeton and Griffith.
Women aren’t the only ones who will benefit from this idea now either.
It originally started as ‘share a bag, make a girlfriend feel good’,” Ms King said.
“So share a handbag was how it started, but then I thought ‘what about the men?’
“So I've got people donating men's toiletries and if people want to donate to the men's shelter I’d encourage socks, new socks.
“Between handbags and the men's shelter we can do up bags for the youth refuge as well.”
She said with Christmas coming up, it felt like there was a bit more significance to everything.
“The idea behind it is, especially with Christmas nearly upon us, they're going to make sure their kids have everything they need and now the women don't miss out,” she said.
“If the community get behind it we'll collect it all year. Gorgeous by Nature in Griffith and the Golden Chicken in Leeton are happy to be all year round collectors to those who want to donate.”
