What if you could help someone in need without making a real sacrifice?

That’s the assumption behind a charity collection drive organized by the campus Womyn’s Centre, which in addition to soliciting donations of canned goods and clothing to benefit clients of local women’s shelters, is hoping to collect toiletries and other personal care products.

“People tend to forget the stuff we use daily—hair brushes, elastics, make-up, deodorant, soap and shampoo, toothbrushes or razors,” says coordinator Tracy Huynh. “But the shelters see patrons come and go, and they all need these personal items to get their lives on track.”

The best part, she says, is that it doesn’t have to cost the giver anything.

“I noticed for so many occasions, women receive these elaborate gift baskets, filled with body lotions, bath beads, scented oils, and usually there is one product you want and the rest can go to waste,” she says. “Now we can offer people a place to bring all the unused stuff they have just sitting around.”

Besides gift baskets, there are other sources of “freebies,” Huynh notes: the complimentary samples collected during hotel stays, the extra items in a two-for-one sale offer, the giveaways bundled with the product you really needed.

She in no way means to understate the need for non-perishable food items and clothing. The centre, located on the second floor of the CAW Student Centre, will collect all donations through the month of November for delivery to the Blue House drop-in centre and the Well-Come Centre for Human Potential emergency shelter.