Civilians can help women in need through the Hungarian campaign

Waking up in the morning, showering, washing your hair, putting lotion on, brushing your teeth – being refreshed and feeling clean is natural for most of us. That’s why the #nemluxustáska (notaluxurybag) campaign was born, helping thousands of women in need. Aid packages are welcome at collection points on specific days between 18 February and 11 March 2023. People can drop off aid packages also through the FOXPOST automatic parcel lockers for free between 15 February and 15 March.

The idea first popped into Szandra Cserta’s head in 2018, but she never, in a million years, imagined that a campaign of this size could grow out of a phone conversation. Along with Ági Huszka and Anna Kovács-Pálffy, the team put together all their strength and expertise to bring about this success story.

In the past few years, they have garnered countless enthusiastic volunteers and established numerous drop-off points all across the country, while Hungarian Maltese Charity Service (Magyar Máltai Szeretetszolgálat) also joined in managing some of the logistic work.

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What are the most essential items for women in need

Sanitary pads
Soap, shower gel
Shampoo (and optionally hair conditioner)
Body lotion or hand cream
Mask (can be both washable and disposable)
Hand sanitiser
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Deodorant
a nice, heart-warming personal message from you

You ought not to put any medicine, clothing, food, knives, razors or other items that could potentially cause damage in the bag. For hygiene reasons, tampons, washable pads and menstrual cups are still on the list of items that should be left out. Due to size issues, clean socks and panties are not accepted in the package.

For sanitary precautions, they ask that all products be new and unopened. It is recommended that the openings are secured with scotch tape to prevent accidents – for example, the spilling of shampoo – during transportation.

The organisers of the campaign ask volunteers to ensure that the bags are intact and in usable condition. Used bags in good condition can be bought in second-hand shops for a reasonable price.

Drop-off points and automatic parcel lockers

Volunteers can drop off bags at several collection points across the country. Another way to donate is via FOXPOST machines which are free, simple and efficient. It’s easy to join the campaign, as the bags are wrapped and labelled #nemluxustaska and placed in one of the more than 800 FOXPOST automatic parcel lockers available across the country.

The drop-off points are available on the website of the campaign. One of these is the collection point in the 5th district in Budapest at 10 Honvéd Square (doorbell nr. 2), where bags can be dropped off on Saturdays from 3 PM to 8 PM. In addition, there are several rural drop-off points in cities such as Békéscsaba, Debrecen, Dunaharaszti, Ebes, Érd, Esztergom, Gárdony, Gödöllő, Győr, Hajdúszoboszló, Kecskemét, Keszthely, Miskolc, Mosonmagyaróvár, Nyíregyháza, Pécs, Szeged, Szombathely and Zalaegerszeg.

The campaign has been a great success every year, with over 10,000 bags collected in 2019. One year later, thanks to the #nemluxustaska hashtag, around 17,000 bags were delivered to women in need. In the same year, the campaign won a Civic Award for the most successful fundraising and the Inspiring Women civic category.