Vicksburg Library patrons donate to support women at Haven House

VICKSBURG, Miss. (VDN) — Patrons of the Warren County-Vicksburg Public Library showed off their giving spirit throughout the spring, collecting hundreds of women’s health and hygiene products for Haven House Family Shelter. The library began the drive as part of Women’s History Month in March.

“The library is here to help every member of our community, and we thought that supporting the women of our community in this way was the right thing to do. We had no idea that it would be so successful that we would need to extend it for a second month.” said David Scott, director of the Warren County-Vicksburg Public Library. “We appreciate the generosity of our patrons, and we plan to do this again in the future.”

Natasha James, Outreach Service Coordinator for Haven House, said that the personal hygiene items will significantly influence the well-being of residents within their domestic violence shelter.

“Many survivors arrive with limited or no possessions; providing essential items such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, and deodorant facilitates their sense of cleanliness, dignity, and humanity,” said James. “This simple act of restoring normalcy can be profoundly empowering during a period of crisis. When residents are relieved of concerns regarding their basic needs, they are better able to concentrate on the processes of healing, safety planning, and reconstructing their lives. Maintaining good hygiene is also crucial to preserving physical health, and your donations aid in preventing illness while ensuring a clean and secure environment for all shelter occupants.”

Haven House has provided support and services to victims of domestic violence for over forty years. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, call the Haven House Crisis Line at 601-636-0555 or 1-800-898-0860. If you wish to donate to future drives, you may visit the library at 700 Veto St.