Share the Dignity is calling on South Australian residents to support women and girls in need this Christmas through their annual #ItsInTheBag Christmas appeal.

People are encouraged to donate a bag and drop off at Mount Gambier’s Bunnings store from November 18-27.

The initiative, which is now in its eighth year, aims to ensure that every woman and girl spending Christmas in a refuge or domestic violence shelter, receives the basic essentials – including pads and tampons, deodorant, toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, and soap – as well as little luxuries such as hair accessories or a handwritten note.

With the rising cost of living, ongoing impacts from the pandemic, worsening domestic violence rates and displacement due to recent natural disasters exacerbating Australia’s homelessness crisis, #ItsInTheBag donations are greatly needed.

Share the Dignity founder and managing director Rochelle Courtenay said she was hopeful donations would increase after taking a hit over the past two years.

“Like many charities, we experienced a donation deficit due to COVID-19, having received 30,000 fewer bags on average in 2020-2021 compared to 2019,” she said.

“And we’re now seeing the true impacts of the past few years, which sadly has meant that more vulnerable women and girls are looking for support than ever before.

“We’re expecting to have more than 140,000 charity requests this year, and we’re hopeful that Australians will take this opportunity to give where they can, if they’re able to do so.

Share the Dignity SA Volunteer Community Connections Lead Jenny Bullimore said she hoped to see more SA residents rally behind the cause than ever before to fulfill the expected 9000 requests from SA charities.

“We’re expecting to have more than 9000 from charities in SA this year,” she said.

All Limestone Coast donations are distributed locally through Foodbank Limestone Coast.