LOS ANGELES – Shirley Craig, donations and inventory associate at the Downtown Women’s Center, smiled as she looked through the large cart full of toiletries.
“I think this is wonderful,” she said. “The ladies are going to love these. They’re packed nicely, and they’ve got so many things in them.”
The gallon-sized plastic bags Craig was referring to were full of necessary items a woman might need if she was going on a trip – socks, lotion, shampoo, feminine hygiene products, combs, toothbrushes, makeup and even packs of playing cards.
However, these bags weren’t packed for a leisurely trip or vacation; they were going to the many Los Angeles women calling the center and the streets of Skid Row their temporary home.
The truck bed full of toiletries was delivered to the center Jan. 23 by employees with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District.