JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - A local sorority chapter is working to restore a sense of humanity in the community - one suitcase at a time.

The Institute for the Advancement of Minority Health and the Ebony Pearls Foundation collaborated with the Rho Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. to host a suitcase drive for the unhoused community in the area.

“The purpose of it is we want to restore dignity to those who are unhoused or unstably housed when carrying their belongings because we know, a lot of the time, the shelters are only really for night-time and they’re forced to leave and they have to take their belongings around either in garbage bags or plastic bags,” Dawn Magee, chapter president, said.

Cars lined up outside The Ivy Pointe in Jackson on Sunday afternoon to donate both new and gently used suitcases to aid those experiencing homelessness.

It was the first year for this drive, and the chapter wants to address a side of homelessness that many people may not think about.

“No one wants to carry their belongings in a garbage bag around. You’re already dealing with the fact that you’re unhoused. Then, the way that you have to carry your possessions, all of us have a certain feeling towards the things that we own,” Magee added. “So, we want to make sure that they can carry around their belongings in a wheeled suitcase or duffel bag.”

The suitcases will be donated to Shower Power next month.

Magee also has a message for people who are unsure about donating.

“It can be any of us at any day. Like they say, we’re all one paycheck away sometimes from being unhoused,” explained Magee. “So, I would encourage them to look at how you would feel if you were in their shoes, unhoused, trying to take your belongings from place to place.”

If you didn’t have a chance to donate today, you still have until Nov. 20 to give back.

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