Handbags of Hope is a Hope Valley Women’s Ministry Project. We reach out to underprivileged women of Adelaide by providing gift-filled handbags, spreading a message of love and hope, and blessing them with a beautiful gift, over the Christmas season.

Each and every Handbag is filled with dignity and full of purpose.

Will you join us this year and help to reach out to more women, by providing a gift-filled Handbag?

Invite family and friends to participate, and bring your collective handbags to Hope Valley Church on the last Sunday in November to be presented to a charity representative. 

If you would like information to share, download the resources pack below. 

Everything you need to know

Your Handbag must be a minimum size of 20x30cm (or an A4 piece of paper)
What MUST be in your bag
  • Water bottle/ coffee travel cup (no glass or ceramic)
  • Hand cream
  • Pen + Notebook/ journal/ diary
  • 1 or 2 items of jewellery
  • 1 or 2 accesories (sunhat/ sunglasses/ scarf)
  • Hairbrush + hair accessories(s)
  • 1 or 2 makeup items (lipgloss, blush, makeup brushes, mascara)
  • Bar of soap + face washer
  • A letter or card from you
Do NOT include
  • Sharp items (nail clippers/ files/ scissors)
  • Sanitary items
  • Toothpaste/ toothbrushes
  • Glass or breakable items
  • Foods or medications
  • Aerosol cans
  • Second-hand items
Optional extras and ideas
  • Hair accessories
  • Sunglasses
  • Thongs
  • Coin purse
  • Inspirational book
  • USB
  • Headphones/ earbuds
  • Reusable shopping bag
  • Hair towel
  • Beauty kits
  • Makeup brush
  • Handmade soap
  • Makeup wipes
  • Colouring in book/ coloured pencils

Handbags of Hope | 2023

In 2023 we generously donated 119 Handbags to Baptist Care SA and Hands of Hope to be distributed to the underprivileged women of Adelaide. 

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Questions & Answers

Let us answer some of your questions about Handbags of Hope

Nope! No registrations or signups. Anybody can create a handbag! Handbags must be brought to Hope Valley Church for collection on 19 November 2023 and must include the checklist items. 

We ask you to please bring your handbag to Hope Valley Church on Sunday 19 November. We aim to collect all your bags on this Sunday. Details will be released closer to this date if you are unable to make the services. 

If you don't wish to buy a handbag but still want to participate you can absolutely still help. We will work with you! If you would like to make a monetary donation or donate some gifts to go in the handbags, we would be appreciative of anything you can do. Contact katrinamanuel@hotmail.com regarding donations.

We encourage you to put items in the handbag that inspire love and hope. We are aiming to spoil women, so avoid thinking of basic necessities, we want to donate gifts that can inspire women. We have a list of essential items that must be included in your bag, this is to ensure nobody misses out on anything!

Absolutely, once you have the essentials covered, we encourage you to add to the list with your personal flair. *Remember to check the DO NOT include list. 

If you would like your church or community group to get involved, we have created a resource pack to share with digital and printable designs to get you started. 

If you would like more information on resources, contact Katrina Manuel | 0419 833 681 | Katrinamanuel@hotmail.com

Overview Handbags of Hope
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