Many women flaunt fashionable purses. Not Sally Stuart.

When she tried to donate one of her bags to charity it sat untouched for six months. Dozens of others on the rack were snatched up by those in need, but Stuart ended up taking hers back home.

"I'm just not a purse person," she said with a chuckle.

It was the lone exception in a successful program started last year by the Audrain County Area Public School Retires, of which Stuart is a member. Dubbed the She Bag Project, the group has been donating purses filled with necessary items to those in need.

The group presented a dozen loaded purses to graduates of the Mexico Sustainability Project, a program that helps train people for job interviews or other life skills. But the biggest benefactor has been ACCIS, the Audrain County Crisis Intervention Center. The public school retirees have provided 64 she bags to the center so far.

"It's really helpful," said ACCIS volunteer coordinator Kristen Bledsoe. "Some of the women leave with just the clothes on their backs. They have nothing."

While ACCIS helps with many necessities, the bags contain items that are needed but often overlooked when it comes to donations. There are sewing kits, nail files, hair products and some creature comforts to make those in need feel more at ease.

And the purses themselves are of high quality, some bearing designer labels.

"It gives them a little boost, maybe," Stuart said.

The retired teachers organization -- ACAPSR -- came across the She Bag Project idea by accident. One of their members, Jan Douglas, was visiting a friend in the Kansas City area.

As they were leaving a location, Douglas pointed out that her friend had left her purse behind. The friend explained the purse was part of a charity program.

When ACAPSR brought the idea to Audrain County, there were a few pitfalls. Members loaded the purses with items they believed would be useful. Often, however, these were the same goods provided by other organizations.

"So many people want to help but they don't know what to bring," Stuart pointed out.

The group eventually created a list, but members still place some unique items in the bags they donate. Each one is a little different.

Another problem was the retired educators' eagerness to give. They packed so much into the purses that the stand couldn't handle the weight. Pegs broke off and the bags thudded onto the floor.

"We love to help others," Stuart explained. "You feel like you are contributing."

The She Bag Project is just one of ACAPSR's programs. They are currently working on an educational exhibit for Walk Back in Time. And many of the members volunteer at the Help Center or other operations.

Although COVID-19 curtailed some of their efforts last year, the group still managed to contribute more than 17,500 hours of volunteer community service in 2020. Stuart says that number will be closer to 20,000 this year.

The She Bag Project allows them to provide for women in need. Donating the purses to ACCIS, that's a win-win.