Period poverty charity Share the Dignity has launched its biggest-ever It’s in the Bag Christmas appeal, calling on Australians to donate 150,000 bags filled with essential items for women and girls fleeing domestic violence or experiencing homelessness at Christmas.

The appeal asks people to fill a new or unused bag with unopened toiletries and sanitary products —toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, roll-on or solid deodorant, soap or body wash and period products (for an Adult Bag), and a few extras for a Mum & Bub bag or Teen Bag. (Learn more about bag types on the campaign website.)

From 14 to 30 November, every Bunnings Warehouse across the country will act as a collection point, or supporters can purchase a “virtual bag” online. Bunnings stores will also sell Dignity First Aid Kits and host a national ‘Decorate to Donate’ workshop where customers can decorate a tote bag for their donation.

Rochelle Courtenay founded Share the Dignity in 2015 when she first learnt that homeless women were going without basic period products during their menstrual cycle. Since then, the charity has distributed 5 million packets of period products and one million It’s in the Bag donations to women in need.

Requests from Share the Dignity’s 3,000 partner organisations have surged, Ms Courtenay said.

“It’s devastating to know that for every bag donated, there’s another woman we can’t reach.

“We have already begun the horrible task of preparing our charities for the worst, because the requests have increased so drastically. We can never meet demand, but this year we’re trying really hard to try and close that gap. Until the system changes, we’ll keep showing up, because we can’t change their circumstances — but we can change their Christmas.”

Women who received It’s in the Bag donations described the dignity and relief they provided in the midst of crises.

Gemma fled her home with her children, only gathering what she could carry for them, and what they needed to get to the next place. The bag contained toiletries and necessities that she had not been able to afford — a reminder that she deserved happiness and love, she said.

“I felt seen and heard that day.”

Jaklyn had left an abusive partner, and spent Christmas alone and terrified, feeling shameful and undeserving of anything — even a gift. The bag allowed her to feel clean and valued again, and helped her regain a sense of self-worth. It showed her that someone else cared and that she was worthy of love.

“That was really important to me, to finally have something for myself. To hold onto products that were mine and for me. Because I hadn’t had that in a very long time.”

Essie fled domestic violence with her 11-month-old daughter; her perpetrator cut off her access to money, and she was isolated. She had started a court process and needed accommodation. Receiving a bag eased one immediate burden, and gave her hope.

“When you’re in such a desperate situation, it’s so hard to ask for help… To the person who packed my bag, thank you so much. It really has changed my life.”

Another woman, Amy*, endured years of coercive control so extreme she was too afraid to shower without her partner’s permission.

“The impact that he had on me and my daughter mentally and emotionally — you can’t reverse that… The bag restores your faith in humanity… your dignity and self-worth.”

 (*Name changed for safety)

More information about the campaign and how to donate is on the It’s in the Bag website.