SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane’s 9th annual Mardi Bras celebration hopes to bring more necessities to those in the community who need them the most.
The event, put together by Transitions and Volunteers of America, acts as an awareness campaign that supports women experiencing poverty and homelessness in Spokane.
On Friday, community members were invited to bring donations at Women’s Hearth, a daytime drop-in center for women in downtown Spokane.
Bras, underwear, socks and all types of hygiene products are collected to then be dropped off at women’s shelters in the area.
For those on the receiving end, it has been life-changing.
“I was homeless coming from Michigan in a very abusive relationship. I ran across the United States. I ended up in Spokane, a rapid rehousing program,” said Kebby Ali.
Kebby is now in stable housing and even back in school. She says it’s Mardi Bras that got her feeling like the confident person she is today.
“It gave me a higher self-esteem about myself and made me feel better about myself,” she said.
When it comes down to it, the products these events provide are basic human needs, but they, are not cheap.
“It really makes a huge difference in how someone feels and how they see themselves, because I know that if I were walking around all day in a busted old underwire bra, I’m going to be uncomfortable,” said Jessica Burke, the development director at Transitions. “Being able to have the things that I need to take care of myself and my body is going to make me feel better as a person.”
It’s estimated around 8,000 women benefit from this initiative each year.
For Pam Payne, it is what made her feel human again.
“It can make a huge difference in where do you want to go on the next day,” Payne said. “It’s just one of the small things when you’re having mental problems or you’re at the end of your rope, some human kindness and little things like that saved my life.”
You can find more information on how to make a donation on Transitions website, linked here.
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