Upper Room Mission

(CHARLOTTE HELSTON / iNFOnews.ca)

VERNON - It’s a basic necessity most of us take for granted: underwear.

The Upper Room Mission in Vernon is launching a new, month-long campaign starting July 1 called UnderAWARE to collect undergarments for those in need.

“The Mission’s Outreach Department has noticed the demand for both men’s and women’s undergarments are very high, while the supply is very, very limited, often absent,” co-executive director Lisa Anderson says in a media release. “For individuals living in poverty or homelessness, underwear is a very basis need, but one of the most difficult items to acquire.”

Outreach staff and their UnderAWARE tracker.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Upper Room Mission

The Outreach team hopes to gather 250 pairs of new underwear through the campaign.

“People don’t usually think about donating underwear, or perhaps feel awkward or uncomfortable, not really knowing if it is an acceptable item to donate. The goal of our UnderAWARE drive is to of course collect and grow our depleted supply of underwear, but also bring awareness and conversation around the fact that everyone deserves a fresh, clean pair of underpants. Being able to offer clean underwear to someone goes a long way in promoting their self-confidence and most importantly, their dignity,” Anderson says.

The UnderAWARE campaign will run the entire month of July. Donations of new men’s and women’s underwear can be dropped off at the Upper Room Mission, located at 3403-27 Ave. in Vernon, Monday to Friday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Only new underwear will be accepted due to hygiene reasons.

To thank the community for their continuous support, the Upper Room Mission will also be hosting an Open House BBQ on Sunday, July 30 from noon to 2 p.m. Underwear will also be accepted at the open house.

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