Purse Project kicked off with a private party hosted by President Mary Ann Sabo of Sabo PR last week and is now open to the public for participation.    

Lead organizer Denise Kolesar states: “The cold weather has arrived, and once again we have a goal of collecting 100 stuffed purses or totes for homeless women affiliated with Mel Trotter Missions and 50 backpacks for the men at Guiding Light.”  

In 2017 Purse Project increased its giving by adding the backpack drive for the men at Guiding Light.

“It was very successful, and we were happy to add assisting the men in our community along with the women in our community, states Kolesar.

This year, Purse Project is adding the collection of new, sized-medium and above pajamas for women at Degage Ministries. Purses, totes and backpacks are filled with simple necessities and will be distributed to women assisted through Mel Trotter Missions and to homeless women on the streets of Grand Rapids, and the backpacks will go to the men assisted through Guiding Light. Anyone can participate in the giving.

Gently Used or New  Purses or Totes may be filled with: Kleenex, small water bottles, hand sanitizer, miniature sizes of lotion, body wash, warm socks, hat, scarf, mittens, snack bars, hand warmers, small blanket, Chap Stick, hygiene products, personal care products.

Gently Used or new Backpacks may be filled with: Hat, gloves, socks, body wash/soap, washcloth, toothbrush, toothpaste, Kleenex, lotion, small water bottle, hand warmers, Lip Balm, Wet Ones, handkerchief.

Kolesar further states, “We are fortunate and thankful that Julie Lough, President of Micro Visions, Inc., is hosting the collection site with her convenient location at 264 Leonard St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, located just east of 131 on Leonard Street.”

Collections for filed gently used purses and backpacks will be accepted starting in December. Monday (December 2) through Friday (December 6) from 8am – 5pm.  There are also two evening drop-offs: Wednesday (December 4) and Monday, (December 9) 4:30 – 7:00 pm. All collections will happen at the Micro Visions, Inc.

About Purse Project
Purse Project began back in December of 2013 with a simple asking of friends to put together gently used purses for women escaping from Domestic Violence and assisted through Safe Haven Ministries.  The Purse Project has grown from there. Since December of 2013 we have collected and donated over 800 stuffed Purses and Totes. Since December of 2018, we have collected and donated over 100 backpacks.  You may connect with us through facebook: Purse Project 2019.