Our mission started with a simple idea: that compassion, when organized and intentional, can create lasting change. Purses With a Purpose began as a small local effort — a few women collecting handbags to fill with essentials for others in need. But what began as a small act of generosity has grown into a movement that’s transforming lives across Idaho.
Each month, our team and volunteers connect with local shelters, outreach centers, and crisis recovery programs to identify women in need. We don’t just drop off donations — we deliver thoughtfully prepared care packages that restore dignity and offer emotional comfort.
Inside each purse are the items many of us never think twice about: soap, shampoo, a hairbrush, feminine hygiene products, and toothpaste. For someone starting over, these items represent a chance to rebuild. But beyond the physical supplies, every purse includes something even more important — encouragement. Our volunteers write notes like, “You are brave. You are loved. Keep going.”
Those simple words have a profound impact. We’ve heard stories from women who kept those notes for months, rereading them whenever they felt discouraged. One woman shared that the note in her purse helped her push through job interviews after leaving a difficult situation.
Partnerships have been key to our success. Through collaboration with local agencies, we’ve been able to reach shelters, transitional housing programs, and women’s outreach centers in multiple cities.
Key highlights of our impact so far:
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Hundreds of purses distributed to women in shelters across Idaho
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Partnerships with nonprofits providing direct crisis support
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Growing volunteer and donor network helping sustain monthly drives
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Personalized outreach ensuring every donation reaches the right hands
Every purse we deliver carries more than products — it carries connection. It tells women rebuilding their lives that there’s a community cheering for them. That belief — that compassion can be carried — is what keeps us going.
Healing starts with being seen. And at Purses With a Purpose, we make sure every woman we reach feels that someone truly sees her.
