What began as a single Facebook post, followed by a brief telephone conversation between two strangers, has developed into a monumental outpouring of support for Calgary’s less fortunate.

In late October, Karen Klassen posted on the Women Embracing Brilliance Facebook page asking women to take their unwanted purses, fill them with snacks, sanitary and hygiene products, and donate them to a homeless woman.

“Everything thing that women need but also everything they love,” explained Klassen. “Hairbrushes combs, lipsticks, slippers, socks…”

The post caught the attention of Carla Campbell.

“Carla was the first person to respond,” recalls Klassen. “She said why don’t we make this a girlfriend challenge and I said fantastic idea.”

The two strangers exchanged phone numbers to discuss the endeavor.

“We clicked so well on the phone,” said Campbell.

The duo challenged 500 women to fill a purse with plans to deliver the handbags to the homeless during the holiday season. Response was overwhelming and participants began to challenge their own friends to take part.

To date, 1,000 women have donated more than 1,500 new or gently used purses to the cause. The purses will soon be delivered to their fellow girlfriends.

"They are women in need, women who are in transition,” said Klassen. “A lot of women in Calgary have just lost their jobs.”

Teresa Smith has donated three purses to the effort.

"I'm so in awe of all the brilliant women who have stepped up on this incredible journey we are on.”

Smith knows firsthand the feelings that follow losing a job.

“I was laid off last week and certainly it's a period of transition,” said Smith. “(The purses are) a small gesture to create hope and to send a message to just keep going.”

Launa Germiquet fell in love with the idea of Fill a Purse and she’s already contributed 15 purses.

"A fantastic idea,” said Germiquet. “Of course, I have a lot of purses and I love the idea of filling them."

Several companies have stepped up and offered to act as drop-off points for the bags before delivering them to organizations across the city.

The 1,500 purses will be delivered next week to more than half a dozen agencies including the Mustard Seed, YWCA, and the Drop-In Centre.