Just like every other day, Bethany Worthington was scrolling through her Facebook feed to see what was new.
Scrolling, scrolling, scrolling, stop. And with a few simple words on the screen, Worthington, 24, was inspired to take action.
That's how the Purse Project got started in Prince George.
The challenge on that fateful Facebook post suggested that if you had a purse you didn't want, fill it full of snacks and personal hygiene products and then give it to a homeless woman.
The suggestion came from an organization called Helping Handbags Worldwide and Worthington took up the cause right away.
She filled a purse and then both her sisters Heidi, 22, and Adriana, 18, each did the same and since their father, Rodney Unger, was a street minister, they asked him to pass the purses along to those in need.
They began their movement in December 2015 and since then they have given out 87 purses. The majority have gone to homeless women in Prince George, the remainder have gone to those on East Hastings in Vancouver and in Los Angeles.
"This is a pretty simple idea with a pretty profound effect," said Unger. "The reception we get no matter where we go has been really great."
As Unger gave away two purses in August to ladies at Venice Beach, Cali., the reaction was tears of gratitude and that was the first time that happened.
"One lady shared her story and it's 38 degrees in the shade and we're in the hot sun and when I asked her if she wanted a purse - that it was free - she started crying," said Unger. "When she opened up the purse she saw there was a hairbrush in it, took off her hat and started brushing her hair - it was exactly what she needed, she said."
Worthington has joined her dad twice as he went into downtown Prince George and she said many of the ladies are overwhelmed with the generosity they are shown.
"I had never heard a grown woman giggle like that before," she said. "It was like it was Christmas Day."
At times women are hesitant when being approached by Unger and he knows when he has either his daughter or his wife with him it puts the homeless women at ease more quickly.
For Worthington, it's all about what she takes for granted.
"In my bathroom I have a toothbrush and I have toothpaste, and shampoo and I have things that I don't think about - I always have them - but there are women out there that don't have that," she said. "So I guess that was maybe the point of this. Because it's so important to me to have these things and I want to give those things to others."
Worthington loves purses and has many that she stores away or donates.
"I have purses and I can buy things to put in the purses," she said.
She invited her friends to join in the project and soon filled purses were coming her way and to Unger, who has ministered to street people since 2013.
Purses can be filled with anything the donor chooses. Besides hair brushes and toothbrushes, other suggested items include socks and gloves, chocolate or sweets, scented lotion or facial tissue, feminine hygiene products or anything else to brighten someone's day.
"I want to thank those people in Prince George that have donated filled purses so we can go and deliver that blessing to our wonderful homeless people because that's what this is all about," said Unger, who would also like to offer filled backpacks to homeless men if anyone would consider donating. "We would love to give guys things, too. It's just we have daughters and they started off with purses."
For more information visit www.streetministers.ca or call Unger at 250-640-8599.
