Purses for Promise helps local shelters

MARQUETTE — A local women’s shelter had an exciting day today, as they collected donations from a volunteer.

Palmer resident Chelsea Marta collected more than one–thousand bags from volunteers to donate to different domestic violence shelters across the UP. She says that she got the idea after an online article caught her eye.

Purses of Promise Volunteer Chelsea Marta says,” This is just something – I read an article online, and I just really, I don’t know, it left a really uneasy feeling and my husband actually said, ‘Well what are you going to do about it? Like there’s nothing you can do about it.’ Well there was something I could do about it obviously.”

The local Women’s Center in Marquette received a portion of the purses. Each purse was stuffed with items like toiletries, snacks, gloves and other necessities. Thanks to this donation, every women who comes to the shelter will receive a stuffed purse.

Women’s Center Program Director Alisha Young says, “This supply will last us throughout the year. So every individual coming into shelter will be given a purse fully stuffed with the necessities they need just from this one donation.”

The Women’s Center is in constant need of toiletries, household products and non–perishable items. If you would like to donate to the shelter you can drop off items from their Needs List at their administration office in Marquette.

For more information about Purses of Promise click here.

Below is the Women’s Center – Harbor House Needs List:

Household Products:  toilet paper, paper towel, dishwasher soap, 13-gal. trash bags, Marquette City trash bag, miscellaneous cleaning supplies, quart/gallon freezer/storage bags, fabric softener sheets, laundry soap, disinfectant wipes/spray, tissue.

Non-perishable items: coffee, non-dairy creamer, canned goods, non-perishable snacks for children’s group/school snacks, juice boxes.

Infant Needs: diapers (sizes 3, 4, 5), baby wipes