In the depths of winter, when the holiday season often emphasizes material excess, one organization is quietly redefining the spirit of giving. Love Purse, founded in 2021 by Maria Castro, addresses a need many overlook: providing women in crisis with something both practical and deeply symbolic: a handbag filled with essentials and hope.
For women experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or rebuilding after personal crises, these purses are more than just accessories. They are symbols of care, dignity, and empowerment.
To many, a handbag is a practical item, a part of daily life. But for women in vulnerable situations, it can mean far more. Each Love Purse is filled with full-sized toiletries, personal care items, and a handwritten note of encouragement.
“It’s not just a purse,” explains Maria Castro. “It’s a symbol of care, respect, and empowerment.”
Recipients often describe the experience as transformative. A young mother in Chicago shared, “When I opened the purse and read the note inside, it was the first time in months I felt seen. It said, ‘You are strong,’ and I carry those words with me every day.”
A Global Mission
In just three years, Love Purse has delivered over 17,000 handbags across seven countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Ukraine. By partnering with more than 75 shelters and nonprofits, the organization has reached women at their most vulnerable—domestic violence survivors, refugees, and those displaced by war.
Karina Ayala-Bermejo, CEO of Instituto del Progreso Latino in Chicago, says the impact is profound. “When women hold their Love Purses, they blossom. It’s as though they are rediscovering their own strength and worth.”
In Ukraine, where conflict has left many women displaced, Love Purses has provided a spark of hope. “It was a light in a dark time,” said one recipient, “a reminder of humanity when everything felt lost.”
Stories of Connection and Care
Each Love Purse represents a collaboration between the giver and recipient. Volunteers, known as Angel Ambassadors, organize collection drives across cities, filling handbags with essentials and writing heartfelt notes. These drives foster community while addressing a pressing need.
“For women fleeing abusive situations, a Love Purse restores a sense of power and dignity,” says Pamela Deveaux of Yellow Brick House, a shelter in Ontario. “It’s a tangible reminder that they’re not alone.”
The initiative also engages young people, civic groups, and corporate teams, showing how collective action can create meaningful change.
Addressing Broader Challenges
Love Purse operates at the intersection of critical social issues. In the United States, one in three women experiences domestic violence, with financial abuse often serving as a barrier to escape. Globally, millions of women arrive in new countries with little more than the clothes on their backs.
Providing a purse filled with essentials may seem small, but it offers both immediate relief and emotional support. As Maria Castro explains, “Every woman deserves to feel valued. A purse may seem simple, but its impact is enormous.”
How to Get Involved
Love Purse invites individuals and communities to join its mission of spreading hope and dignity. You can help by organizing a purse drive and gathering friends, colleagues, or community members to fill handbags with toiletries and notes of encouragement.
Donations of new purses, care items, or financial contributions are deeply impactful. For those wanting a more active role, becoming an Angel Ambassador allows for direct involvement in this mission of compassion. Sharing the movement’s story on social media with the hashtag #LovePurse further amplifies its reach.
This holiday season, collection drives are taking place in cities including Chicago, Detroit, San Antonio, and San Juan, Puerto Rico, ensuring that women in need feel the embrace of their communities.
As the holiday season unfolds, Love Purse offers a reminder of what truly matters: the power of small, heartfelt gestures to create lasting change. For women who have faced immense hardships, these handbags are not just practical gifts. They are symbols of recognition, resilience, and hope.
“It’s not about the purse itself,” says Castro. “It’s about what it represents.”
Visit LovePurse.org to learn how you can support this mission of dignity and care. Together, we can make a profound difference, one purse at a time.