TRURO, N.S. — There were a lot of clothes in Jackie’s Closet but one thing was missing – underwear.
“There are some things just make a person feel great, and one of them is new, clean and comfortable underwear,” said Michaela MacLachlan, executive director at The Lotus Centre. “It’s a matter of dignity and self-respect.”
Jackie’s Closet is located at the centre and is filled with donated items women can browse through and that what they need.
MacLachlan has been working at the centre almost 11 years and has seen a steady rise in the use of the closet. She organized The Panty Project, asking for donations of new underwear.
Donations soon began pouring in from individuals and groups.
Julie Crouse, a faculty member at the Truro campus of the Nova Scotia Community College, shared the request with her students in the Human Services Program and they decided to do something about it.
“The students and staff at NSCC were very supportive of The Panty Project,” said Crouse. “They not only collected donations but the students created posters and displays about the importance of being able to have access to clean underwear. Some students were very surprised about the need in our community for something as simple as a pair of panties, which opened up a crucial dialogue about privilege and marginalization in a tangible way in the classroom.”
The project is ongoing and donations of new underwear in all sizes can be dropped off at the centre, at 67 Dominion Street, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Hygiene products, women’s gently used clothing and grocery store gift cards in $10 or $20 values are also appreciated.
The Lotus Centre’s last day of operation before Christmas is Dec. 23, reopening on Jan. 6.
