Bend Soroptimists’ ‘Bras for Bend’ fights human trafficking
Starting April 1, Soroptimist International of Bend (SI Bend) will be placing their collection Bra Boxes around town at participating retail businesses to help bring awareness to the fight against international human trafficking.
These garments will help create a pathway to a better life for a woman rescued from the sex slave trade in Africa and Latin America. SI Bend partners with Free the Girls (www. FreeTheGirls.org), a non-profit organization, to send the collected bras to these locations.
SI Bend’s outreach program “Bras from Bend” is a testament to the Soroptimist mission Best for Women .
The “Bras” project is made of women in Central Oregon helping other women halfway around the world. The simple act of a donation of a gently used (or new) bra will help a woman become an entrepreneur who sells these garments thus empowering her to create a better life for herself and family. Thanks to the generosity of the community, last year’s drive collected 1,473 bras!
Bras may seem an ordinary item for women of Central Oregon. To women of sub-Sahara Africa and in some countries of Latin America, they are a luxury item, which improve lives socially and economically.
“Bras from Bend” runs annually only during the month of April. Bra Boxes are at the following locations in Bend. For more information, visit www.sibend.org.
Bella Studio 2150 NE Studio Road
The Cutting Club, 1335 NW Galveston
Deschutes Children’s Foundation – East Bend Campus, 2125 NE Daggett Lane
The Little Hair Shoppe, 2669 NE Twin Knolls Drive
Prosthetics by Lynda, 345 NE Norton
QuiltWorks, 926 NE Greenwood
Snap Fitness, 2753 NW Lolo
