Michigan State Police plan annual Purses with a Purpose campaign

PAW PAW, Mich. -  For the month of April, the Michigan State Police Paw Paw post plans to work with their community law enforcement partners to collect gently used and new purses along with toiletry items for its annual Purses with a Purpose campaign.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness month and to support survivors of abuse, neglect, and violence, the Purses with a Purpose campaign seeks to collect items to donate to various women’s shelters in Van Buren, Kalamazoo, Calhoun, Branch, and St. Joseph Counties.

Below are the locations where donations can be dropped off:

• Hartford High School 121 School St. Hartford, MI 49057
• Paw Paw High School 30609 E Red Arrow Highway Paw Paw, MI 49079
• Lakeview Middle School 300 28th St. South Battle Creek, MI 49015
• Journey Family Church 514 West Van Buren St. Gobles, MI 49055

The drop off times for Journey Family Church are Sundays 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Tuesdays 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The organizers ask for donations of new or gently used purses, as well as hygiene and personal care items, including but not limited to toothbrushes, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, deodorant, soap, lotions, brushes, combs, shampoo, conditioner, and hair styling products.

The campaign also asks for new socks in various lengths, sizes, and colors.