OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Hope House, a domestic violence shelter in the Kansas City metro area, and clair de lune, a lingerie boutique, have been partners for the past 14 years in the Great Bra Exchange.
"Everyone's affected by someone who's a domestic violence victim and it just felt like a natural thing for us to do, to help those people who might be leaving their homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs," said Ana Bishop, Store Manager of clair de lune.
The exchange has collected more than 23,000 new and gently used bras since the beginning to go to clients of Hope House.
"They're leaving when the time is appropriate, when they can so they don't often have an opportunity to go back and get the things that we would just consider to be basic essentials," said Mary Anne Metheny, Hope House CEO.
Hope House can provide victims with counseling, care, shelter, food, and clothing. Now, with help from clair de lune, they can provide undergarments.
"It's amazing because it's one less thing that they have to worry about," said Metheny.
The Great Bra Exchange runs from Jan. 4 through Jan. 21.
Bra donations can be dropped off at clair de lune in Hawthorne Plaza at 119th and Roe in Overland Park, Kansas. In return for donations, clair de lune is offering $15 off the purchase of a new bra.
