A Decade of Compassion: Helping Women in Ottawa through the Purse Project

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Ottawa Police Service’s Purse Project — a grassroots initiative built on one simple, powerful idea: no woman should have to go without essential hygiene products just because she is experiencing homelessness or is in crisis.

Launched in 2015, the Purse Project began as a community-driven effort led by OPS members and local partners. The concept was both practical and deeply thoughtful — to collect gently used purses, fill them with personal hygiene items, and discreetly distribute them to women in need across Ottawa.

“Regardless of status or situation, every woman deserves period dignity,” one organizer explained. “We wanted to make sure women had access to these products in a way that also made them feel respected and cared for.”

Each donated purse became more than a simple bag — it became a symbol of dignity, support, and solidarity between women.

Community Partners Step Up

Since 2016, Shoppers Drug Mart has played a key role in helping the project grow, offering several store locations as collection sites and promoting the campaign city-wide. OPS stations also became drop-off points where volunteers gathered and sorted the donations.

The early response from the community was overwhelming. In just the first few years, more than 8,000 purses were collected and distributed to local women’s shelters and outreach programs. By 2018, the team had more than enough purses to continue focusing solely on refilling them with new hygiene products each year.

Adapting Through Challenges

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, OPS organizers faced new obstacles. With public health restrictions limiting access to police stations, they needed to find a way to safely continue collecting and distributing donations.

That’s when Citron Hygiene stepped forward.

The company, whose business focuses on hygiene and period dignity solutions, offered to pick up donations from participating Shoppers Drug Mart locations each week. Their team, equipped with proper PPE, transported the items to their warehouse, sanitized every product, and helped distribute them safely to shelters still accepting donations.

“Citron Hygiene’s support was a turning point,” said organizers. “They made it possible to keep the project alive through one of the most challenging times for our community.”

A Legacy of Kindness

Today, both Shoppers Drug Mart and Citron Hygiene remain steadfast partners in the Purse Project. Each year, countless community members, workplaces, and organizations reach out to participate — proving that compassion is contagious.

This year, donations of hygiene products can be dropped off at the following locations:

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.

 
As the Purse Project celebrates its 10th year, it stands as a testament to what can happen when a community comes together — women supporting women, neighbours helping neighbours, and a city showing its heart.

“Ten years later, the Purse Project continues to remind us that small acts of care can have an enormous impact,” said OPS organizers. “It’s not just about the products — it’s about dignity, connection, and women’s rights.”