Safer Futures‘ annual Hope in a Handbag fundraiser has a date – September 28, 2023. The event will be hosted a few weeks earlier than in the past, and is also showcasing both a new venue and bidding format for its purses.

The annual fundraiser supports critical victim services here in Portage County, helping the shelter to provide over 2,200 shelter nights and assist over 1,300 survivors through its crisis line and resource referrals each year. With domestic violence rates continuing to be problematic for many cities nationwide, these funds, and the services they support, are essential to our community.

Hope in a Handbag, which was held for many years at the Overlook, and most recently the Kent State Hotel and Conference Center, will now be held at the new event center located at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent. Small plates and spirits will be offered, along with a basket and 50/50 raffle, and purse bingo, the new bidding format to replace the fundraiser’s traditional silent auction.

“We are excited for the changes to this year’s fundraiser! While our annual purse auction has always been a hit, the switch to purse bingo will allow all of our attendees to sit back and play rounds of bingo for the chance to win a curated selection of designer purses for a good cause.” – Lauren Webb, Director of Domestic Violence Programs.

Safer Futures is now looking for individuals and businesses to sponsor the event or donate raffle baskets. Tickets are also available for those interested in attending. To learn more or support survivors and their children in Portage County, visit fcsserves.org/HIAH. To sponsor the event or purchase tickets via mail, please make checks payable to Safer Futures with Hope in a Handbag in the memo line. Checks can be sent to 705 Oakwood St., Suite 115, Ravenna, OH 44266.