Ten years of the Purse Project

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, December 2, 2025 11:45 a.m.

(Ottawa) – 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.

“Hygiene products have become a basic necessity that many women in our community simply can’t afford,” said detective Dawn Neilly-Sylvestre, co-organizer of the 10th anniversary of the Purse Project. “For 10 years, the Purse Project has shown that when a community comes together, we can make a positive impact on women who are struggling to access these basic necessities.”

In addition to sanitary and hygiene products like pads and tampons, donations of body & face wash, deodorant, toothpaste & toothbrushes, shampoo & conditioner, shaving products and underwear are also welcomed. We are also inviting the community to donate gently used purses, as they are a discreet way to deliver the products to women in need.

The collection of personal hygiene products was introduced in 2015 as the ‘Purse Project’ and resulted in over 8000 purses filled with necessities that have been donated to women living in local area shelters over the past years.

There are several locations where people can drop off donations until December 14^th :

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 by OPS 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.

If you are unable to attend any of these locations and still wish to donate, you can send an e-transfer to [email protected].  

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Tel: 613-236-1222, ext.  5366

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