Joanie's Purse Project

One of the programs that the YWCA Central Orange County runs is called Joanie's Purse Project. Through this program, YWCACOC gives out handbags and toiletries to homeless women throughout Orange County.

Essential need items are distributed several times a year, with the biggest distributions around Mother's Day and Christmas. We distribute purses stuffed with shampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes, scarves amongst other items to women in need.

YWCA Central Orange County distributed 339 purses to women in need this past Christmas 2009.

We welcome purses and items to fill the purses with, to ramp up for our Mother's Day 2010 project.

The following types of items are needed to help us to serve as many women as possible this holiday season:

• Medium to large purse, preferably new
• Sample or travel-size personal hygiene items
• Candy
• Protein bars
• Breath mints
• Packaged snacks
• Tea bags
• Coffee packets
• (no medicine or alcohol, please!)
• Wrap a small gift such as costume jewelry, scarf, or socks

Contact the YWCA office at (714) 633-4950 if you can donate any of the items above.

Contact Berd at berddunlap@aol.com or call (714) 271-4599 if you would like to volunteer to help stuff purses around Mother's Day.