In June, Things of Dignity marked a significant achievement by organising the donation of 356 items of underwear from Linia Trutnov and Snuggs to the non-profit organisation OPU. This initiative not only met an urgent need for essential items among vulnerable populations, but also started a wider conversation about the often overlooked issue of underwear shortages in humanitarian aid.
This milestone represents more than a successful transfer of goods; it symbolises the power of collaboration between the private and non-profit sectors to address critical needs. By connecting Czech manufacturers with OPU, we've taken a crucial step towards raising awareness of the intimate yet pressing issues facing those in need.
Our experience with this first transfer revealed both the willingness of manufacturers to contribute and the deep, unspoken challenges surrounding the availability of basic necessities such as underwear. As demand increased in the immediate aftermath of the donation, it became clear that our work is not only necessary but vital, encouraging us to continue building bridges of support and solidarity within our community.
The journey began with a trip to Trutnov, where we met our first donor, Linia s.r.o., a family business established in 1993. Linia's headquarters and production facility are located in Trutnov, where the tradition of lingerie manufacturing has been passed down through generations. Their expertise, combined with their commitment to innovation, enables them to produce high quality lingerie for all body types. In addition to underwear, they also produce pyjamas and base layers such as tank tops and leggings.
Some of the underwear they produce each month - such as production prototypes, older styles or various samples - never make it to the stores. We were lucky enough to receive two huge boxes of these brand new items, only missing the original packaging and sometimes sizing.
Our second donor, Snuggs, gave us a remarkable gift: sustainable menstrual underwear. Founded in 2019, Snuggs focuses on producing environmentally friendly menstrual underwear designed for comfort and confidence. We collected the donation in Prague, where we also received instructions on how to care for the underwear to ensure it lasts as long as possible, which we will pass on to end customers.
This donation is particularly valuable for vulnerable women and girls, who often face significant social, economic and health challenges. Menstrual underwear can help them save money on traditional sanitary products, which can be a significant expense for those in difficult financial situations.
Our last stop was at OPU, a Czech non-profit organization established in 1991 to help refugees and foreigners in the Czech Republic. OPU provides free legal and social counseling and organizes awareness-raising events and educational programs. During our meeting with Deputy Director Lída Bobysudová, we learned more about OPU’s operations, needs, and challenges. We quickly realized that underwear is a highly scarce item in their aid efforts. Just a few days after we delivered the donation, Mrs. Bobysudová informed us that the demand for underwear had skyrocketed. For us, this is a clear sign to continue our work and expand our efforts.
We would like to express our gratitude to everyone who helped us along the way and made this first step possible.
Renata & Agáta
