A different type of Fat Tuesday event aims to collect things sometimes forgotten by those who donate to homeless shelters.
Organizers of "Mardi Bras" are asking for donations of bras, underwear, feminine hygiene products and other items to be given to women in shelters at the Charleston YWCA.
Morgan Robinson, a radio show co-host at Electric 102.7 FM, said she got the idea after reading an article about the difficulty of collecting such items.
"It's not necessarily what people think about donating," she said. "It's not a need that's attractive to the public."
Margaret Taylor, director of the YWCA Sojourner's Shelter for Homeless Women & Families, which will benefit from the donation drive, said there's always a need for such items.
"Underclothing is not a priority," Taylor said. "They're thinking about how they're going to get their next meal for their children. As far as the dress code, there is no dress code when you become homeless."
The drive will also collect robes and lounge wear for women and underwear for children, as well as shampoo and conditioner.
All sizes of the clothing are needed, Taylor said.
"This is a thing that I am so glad that they thought of doing for us," she said. "Like I said, we take it for granted but what seems little to other individuals means a lot to these women and children."
Robinson said the response so far to the event has been overwhelming. Within a couple days of advertising for the event on social media, there were hundreds of RSVPs and many comments, she said. The event will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Cakes by Appointment on Quarrier Street in downtown Charleston. The event will mainly be a time to drop off donations, but participants can also have some champagne and snacks, Robinson said.
Those who donate will be entered for a chance to win one of 10 door prizes contributed by businesses in the area, she said. People can also donate items in advance at Cakes by Appointment, the Putnam Chamber of Commerce and Bristol Broadcasting at 817 Suncrest Place in Charleston. Marshall University and West Virginia University Tech also have their own collection points, Robinson said.
Robinson said she's hoping this is just the first of many Mardi Bras events.
"Next year we're already looking at a bigger location because I have a feeling it's just going to grow from here," she said.
The Charleston event has even inspired a similar drive for a shelter in Morgantown, she said.
"It would be amazing to see this go statewide in the next couple of years," Robinson said.
Reach Lori Kersey at Lori.kersey@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-1240 or follow @LoriKerseyWV on Twitter.