Carry Hope Forward: Support Comfort Purses from Kendra

Every purse tells a story.

For many women, a purse is more than an accessory. It carries the essentials of daily life—a wallet, identification, a phone, treasured keepsakes, and small comforts that help us navigate the world with confidence and dignity.

For women facing homelessness, addiction, mental health struggles, abuse, or exploitation, a purse can mean something even more profound: a sense of identity, belonging, and hope.

In 2021, Medical Laboratory Technologist, Sarah Webster, and her mother founded Comfort Purses from Kendra in memory of Sarah's beloved sister, Kendra Webster.

Kendra had a deep compassion for women and girls facing life's greatest challenges. She believed that every woman and girl deserved to feel valued, supported, and empowered, regardless of her circumstances. Through her own experiences, she understood how meaningful it was to have a purse—a place to safely carry personal belongings, important documents, and the little comforts that make difficult days a little easier.

Kendra loved purses. In fact, one of the last acts of kindness she performed was donating several of her own purses to a women's shelter. From that simple but powerful gesture, Comfort Purses from Kendra was born.

Over the past six years, thanks to the incredible generosity of supporters like you, more than 1,000 purses have been distributed to women in need throughout our communities. These purses have reached organizations including the John Howard Society, Elizabeth Fry, the Women & Children's Centre of Barrie, Youth Haven, Ryan's Hope, York Region Women's Centre, Helping Hands for the Homeless, the Women's Shelter of Orillia, Children's Aid Society, and many others. We have also provided direct outreach to women living in encampments and on the streets.

Each donated purse is carefully filled with practical everyday necessities—hygiene products, personal care items, notebooks, socks, treats, and gift cards. But beyond the contents, each purse carries a message:

You matter. You are seen. You are not forgotten.

The response from shelters and outreach organizations has been overwhelming. Women look forward to receiving these purses each year, appreciating not only the items inside but also the care, dignity, and compassion they represent.

As we prepare for the 2026 holiday season, several additional agencies have already requested Comfort Purses for the women they serve. To meet this growing need, we are beginning our collection efforts earlier than ever before.

We invite you to help carry Kendra's legacy forward.

As you clean out closets or swap seasonal handbags, please consider donating any gently used purse that you no longer need. We welcome purses that can hold approximately 25 items and close securely with a zipper or other fastening.

We also gratefully accept donations of purse-filling items such as:

Toothpaste and toothbrushes

Combs and hair accessories

Travel-size shampoo and conditioner

Hand cream and lip balm

Kleenex packets

Emery boards

Small notebooks and pens

Socks

Feminine hygiene products

Tim Hortons gift cards

Candy and small treats

Donations will be accepted between now and Oct 1, 2026. To donate, please message us for contact details.

On behalf of Sarah Webster, her mother, and the countless women whose lives will be touched by your generosity, thank you for helping transform a simple purse into a powerful symbol of comfort, dignity, and hope.

Together, we can ensure that Kendra's kindness continues to reach those who need it most.