University staff have collected 17 boxes of toiletry items to give to Women’s Refuge and the Dunedin Night Shelter.
Marine science Prof Abby Smith started a collection box last month and staff and students donated items from their cupboards.
"We are ecstatic with the amount of donations. It has been an awful year, and lockdown affected people who already have a tough life."
The university chose to collect toiletries because they were things people needed, and were items that often accumulate in people’s cupboards.
"It was a win-win."
The boxes include almost 4000 different donated products.
Five boxes of necessities, such as toothpaste, will be donated to the night shelter, and the Women’s Refuge will receive 12 boxes, including fancier items such as cosmetics and soaps.
"We hope they will brighten up the lives for those who don’t have anything.
"The women like the pretty stuff, especially as they can regift them. Even when you’re down, you still want to give presents and get the joy from giving."
