It’s in the Bag –  Give Dignity This Christmas

This project is perfect whether you’re completing a task as part of the syllabus for the Christmas Challenge, or simply looking for a tangible way to help females in your local community.

As the festive season approaches, many women and girls in Australia are facing homelessness,  domestic violence or severe hardship. This Christmas, you have the chance to make someone’s morning brighter by giving not just a bag, but also dignity, respect and hope.

It’s in the Bag is an Australia-wide campaign run by Share the Dignity.  At Christmas time each year, the campaign encourages people to fill a bag (handbag, tote bag or backpack) with essential items to donate to someone in need.  These donations are then distributed through a network charity partners across Australia to women and girls who are spending Christmas in emergency accommodation, refuges or difficult circumstances.

Many wake on Christmas morning without basics like a toothbrush, shampoo, or period products. With cost-of-living pressures continuing to rise, the demand for essential items is increasing. This campaign provides a simple, practical way for community groups, schools, youth organisations and families to make a tangible difference.

Ways to get involved

1. Sponsor a Bag Online

Make a monetary donation and a bag will be packed and delivered on your behalf.

2. Pack Your Own Bag

Shop for the items on the list or collect donations from your group or community.

Pick a Bag
Choose a new or very well-conditioned handbag, backpack or tote. Decide which category you’d like to support and follow the specific list of essentials for that type of bag:

• • Adult
  • Teen
  • Mum & Bub

Pack your bag

Gather the required items for your chosen category. For health and safety reasons, all items must be brand new and in sealed packaging.  You may also like to include a hand-written note, or a special items. Tie a coloured ribbon to the bag to identify the category: a yellow ribbon for a teen bag, and a purple ribbon for a Mum & Bub bag. (Adult bags do not require a ribbon)

Take your bag to Bunnings

In the designated campaign period (for example 14 November – 30 November 2025) you can deliver your filled bag to any participating Bunnings store.

Essential items for the bags

Some of the key items include:

• Period products
• Shampoo and conditioner (full size preferred)
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Deodorant (roll-on preferred)
• Soap or body wash
• Nappies, baby wipes, baby shampoo, breast pads (For Mum & Bub bags)

This project is a meaningful way to share kindness, support those facing hardship and make a direct impact in your community. Whether you sponsor a bag, pack one yourself or organise a group collection, your contribution helps restore dignity to someone who needs it most.

Visit the Share the Dignity website for full details, shopping lists, resources and to register your participation.