Ottawa police mark 10 years of the Purse Project

The Purse Project collects feminine hygiene products to distribute them to women in need. Nov. 26, 2024. (Shaun Vardon/CTV News Ottawa)

For a decade, volunteers at the Ottawa Police Service have led The Purse Project, an initiative to collect and distribute sanitary and hygiene products to those who may not be able to afford them.

“The Ottawa Police Service and our partners Shoppers Drug Mart and Citron Hygiene are once again inviting Ottawa residents to help us collect personal hygiene products for women in the 10^th anniversary of the Purse Project,” police said.

According to a news release, in addition to sanitary and hygiene products like pads and tampons, donations of body and face wash, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, shaving products and underwear are also welcomed.

“We know that women just cannot opt out of having their period. So, period poverty is a real thing, and it’s not cheap,” Const. Stephanie Lemieux told CTV News.

“We ask for pads, tampons, body wash, underwear, socks and we package it all together and we donate it to the shelters and the drop ins.”

Police are also asking for donations of gently used purses, which are used to discreetly deliver products to women.

Police say they also accept e-transfer options for cash donations at [e-mail].

The Purse Project was introduced in 2015, with more than 8,000 purses filled and donated to women living in local area shelters.

Here is where you can donate until December 14:

Citron Hygiene Warehouse

• 2855 Swansea Crescent, Unit 150

Ottawa Police Stations

• 474 Elgin St. (8 am - 6 pm)
• 3343 St-Joseph Blvd. (9 am - 6 pm)
• 211 Huntmar Dr. (9 am - 6 pm)

Shoppers Drug Mart Locations

• 174 Bank St.
• 702 Bank St. (Unit 700)
• 1080 Bank St.
• 181 Greenbank Rd.
• 3781 Strandherd Dr.

All items collected will be delivered to local area shelters, including, but not limited to, Youville Centre, St Joe’s Women’s Centre, Emily Murphy Non-Profit Housing Corporation, and la Maison d’amitié, according to Ottawa police.

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