Bags of hope to Harvey residents

The coronavirus pandemic has had a big financial impact on many South West residents.

One organisation has continued to lend a hand to people in need of basic toiletries during the crisis.

Bags of Hope collects toiletries from hotels and packages them to give to vulnerable members of the community.

There were 50 shower packs and six men’s bags donated to St Paul’s Anglican Church in Harvey last week.

The shower packs include enough shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste and lotion for one or two showers. This helps people who are showering in public facilities.

The organisation’s founder, Trish Robinson, said she was delighted to help people in need.

“We are sometimes good at not seeing, but the reality is, many people have been affected by the pandemic and are in need of support,” Mrs Robinson said.

“People are being told to ‘go home’ during the pandemic, but some people do not have a home to go to.”

Bags of Hope was started two years ago, after Mrs Robinson recognised a need for shower products among vulnerable community members. She started collecting donations of hotel toiletries with the help of her friends and family bagged them off to drop off around the region.

There have been more than 9000 shower packs distributed throughout Harvey, Brunswick, Yarloop, Bunbury and Busselton.

Late last year, Mrs Robinson decided to do men’s packs, which included full-sized toiletries.

“There is so much need in our region,” she said.

Anyone travelling in the future is encouraged to donate their spare hotel toiletries.