Project Purse to benefit women entering workforce

By Anne Eickstadt

ANNE EICKSTADT PHOTO Belvidere Republican
Volunteer Melissa Perez fills a donated purse with items to empower a woman to look and feel her best.

Editor

Volunteers and staff from Edward Jones, Financial Advisor: Eric R, Dahl and Empower Boone joined forces on Thursday, March 14 to pack items together for Project Purse.

Project Purse is intended to support our local women by donating new or gently used purses packed lovingly with everyday necessities -toiletries, beauty items, hygiene products, first aid, and more. Each item is thoughtfully packed into each purse while the carrier feels empowered by having access to these items in a like-new handbag.

“Eric had gone to a training session with Edward Jones,” said Rev. Danice Loveridge, Executive Director of Empower Boone. At the meeting, they talked about doing projects to give back to the community. One of the projects mentioned was Project Purse.

“New and gently used purses have been collected from the Belvidere community and at the food pantry in Capron. They are being filled with items women need and will be distributed by Empower Boone to women who are entering the workforce or are interviewing. The idea behind this being that we want to empower women to look and feel their best for job interviews and while they are at work.

“We have found that, historically, women who are living at or below the poverty level tend not to…

For complete article, pick up the March 21 Belvidere Republican.