Purses with Purpose: Mother-daughter duo recycles jeans to help women in need

Abi Johnston, left, and her mother Donna Tutty, right, pose with one of the denim totes they created. It will be donated to a women's shelter. (Stephanie Tsicos/CTV News Atlantic)

A Nova Scotia mother and daughter are helping women in their community while keeping denim out of landfills – one pair of jeans at a time.

“We have really only hit the ground six months ago, and it has just kind of exploded,” said Donna Tutty, who created Purses with Purpose with her daughter, Abi Johnston.

They take old jeans and turn them into one-of-a-kind bags, which are then filled with personal care items to donate to women’s shelters across Nova Scotia.

“Every tote that we deliver is a way for us to say, ‘We see you and we care’,” said Tutty.

‘I need to do something’

Purses with Purpose has been an idea 10 years in the making after Tutty saw two older homeless women out on a cold January night.

“It was from that that I thought, ‘I need to do something. I need to do something for women who are in need.’”

The pair has already been able to donate more than 100 purses.

“We have been able to go and donate to at least one shelter a month so far, and we’re hoping to continue that,” said Tutty.

While there are always staple items like shampoo, soap and feminine hygiene products in the bags, other items get packed in.

“Depending on the season, we give them mittens or socks or sunglasses or hair elastics,” said Johnston.

800 pairs and counting

They hold monthly pop-up events, which has gotten others involved in their efforts. They bring all the supplies needed – from the sewing machines to the materials.

They even created take-home kits for those who want to help on their own time.

“We would get some jeans prepared in the bag, some material, some fabric, and then the women can kind of go their own way with their creation and they have everything they need in the bag,” said Johnston.

The next pop-up event will take place on Saturday, June 20 at the Dartmouth Seniors Service Centre at 45 Ochterloney St. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. People can drop off their old jeans or help make totes.

Since launching, the mother-daughter duo has collected more than 800 pairs of jeans.

“We thought that what better way to reuse, repurpose old jeans and make totes,” said Tutty.

‘It is so special’

Working together in this way has brought the women even closer.

“It is so special to be able to work side-by-side with my daughter,” said Tutty. “She’s extremely organized. She keeps me organized.”

Johnston is inspired by her mom and hopes to do the same for her own children.

“I love it. I love the idea, and the ambition to go to do it, and to be there alongside her as well, and then to show my daughters all the good things that we’re doing to help others,” said Johnston.

Currently, they’re headquartered in Johnston’s childhood bedroom in Hubbards, N.S.

“It’s a great transition for this room and we love being in here and creating and setting up for the next pop-up,” said Johnston.

While they’re not even a year into their efforts, they already have big plans.

“Because there’s so many women that want to be involved, we actually have our eyes out and ears out for a standalone place,” said Tutty.

Needs list

Purses with Purpose is always collecting men’s and women’s jeans in any colour or pattern.

They are also looking for donations of:

• feminine hygiene supplies – tampons and pads
• full-size shampoo and conditioner
• body wash
• body lotion
• toothbrush and toothpaste
• deodorant
• razors and shave gel
• wash cloths
• socks
• hand soap
• flashlights and batteries

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