New West shop creates bank for free personal care items

If you happen to walk past the Good Omen shop along 6th—between Columbia and Clarkson—you may notice a white box decorated with beautiful orange and coral coloured flowers.

In bold lilac letters, the box reads: “Personal care bank. Take what you need. Leave what you can.”

The box was created by Lia Hood, the owner of Good Omen, though she notes the box was inspired by another project out east.

“[Our personal care box] was inspired by a mutual aid project that began in Toronto,” she tells New West Anchor. “[It] works to make personal care items accessible for all members of our community in need, such as our unhoused neighbours, any other marginalized group, or anyone experiencing any barriers to purchasing personal care items.”

Much like The Personal Care Bank boxes found in Toronto, Good Omen’s box is filled with basics for everyone: from dental floss to deodorant, shampoo to conditioner, Hood says it’s ready for anyone who needs it. Hood funded the project herself.

“I was able to purchase the care bank [and] provide an honorarium for the artist to have the work done. We did a few of our own larger purchases for care items, and we’re also really depending on donations from the community,” she says.

While people have been excited to see the box, Hood says there are still some challenges.

“I was hoping for [the box] to be available 24/7, but I’m still… working on making sure it’s secure and it doesn’t disappear throughout the night.” Hood says she’s had some ideas, but they don’t quite hit the mark. The project launched last week, so next steps will be to speak with her landlord about some possible ideas to make sure the box doesn’t get stolen.

For now, Hood is excited to continue accepting donations for the box, and to continue to spread the word about it.

“People are sharing that they’d love to bring donations on their next visit to the shop. I’m really hoping to target people who might particularly need access to this, so I’m working on some posters to display in the downtown area,” says Hood.

And for those who are pondering whether to partake, Hood has this to say:

“It’s available for everyone. I would love for people to begin accessing this, and not to feel that they don’t deserve it. These are basic care needs for everyone, and everyone is welcome to access them,” says Hood, adding that it’s the least she can do for the people around her.

“I feel like our community has been living through so many crises. A global pandemic, a housing and poverty crisis, a poisoned drug supply, so this felt like a tangible way that I could support my neighbours and my community, and give people the opportunity to participate by being able to make donations and participate that way.”

Donations for Good Omen’s personal care bank can be dropped off during shop hours. Calls for donations are also being shared on the shop’s Instagram page.