Social Services Agency’s Annual Purse Giveaway

“The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize!

They may not be Gucci or Louis Vuitton, but you wouldn’t know that from the smiles that beam from the faces of the moms who receive new and gently used handbags each year in recognition of Alameda County Social Services Agency (ACCSSA) Annual Mother’s Day Purse Giveaway.

Every mom deserves a nice handbag on Mother’s Day, and that is just what they have received for two years now at three ACSSA locations: the Eden Area Multi-Service Center in Hayward, and the Eastmont and Enterprise offices in Oakland. Moms line the halls to get a chance to shop for the perfect handbag at the perfect price—Free. The benefactors of this Mother’s Day generosity are all recipients of public assistance. The handbags are distributed on a first-come first-served basis, and come stocked with toiletries such as lotion, deodorant, and other niceties. All donated by ACSSA staff.

“We wanted to do something special for the moms who give so much to everyone else,” Andrea Ford, Assistant Agency Director for ACSSA’s Workforce and Benefits Administration. “This event has been so well received for the last two years that we knew we needed to make it an annual event and broaden it to include community donations. All handbags are donated by staff, and what they don’t have in their closets they go out and purchase.”

Last year the SSA distributed approximately 350 handbags over three days. “This purse will go perfect with my new mother’s day outfit,” remarked R. Scott, one of the lucky moms who got to purse shop in the SSA boutique.

If you would like to join in on the fun and donate a new or gently used handbag, the ACSSA welcomes your participation. To learn more about how you can donate to the Annual Purse Giveaway contact Sylvia Soublet at (510) 271-9100 for more information.