Sayyiduna Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: My maternal aunt was divorced, and she intended to pick fruit from her orchard. One of the companions said to her that she could not leave the house during her waiting period (‘iddah). She said: I went to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and mentioned this. He (peace be upon him) said: "Go and pick the dates from your orchard, for perhaps you may give them in charity or use them for a good purpose."
From this hadith, it is understood that a woman in her waiting period (‘iddah) may go outside the house for a necessity and may return after completing her work; there is no objection in doing so (Mubarakpuri rahimahullah).
From this hadith, it is also established that during the days of ‘iddah, a woman may give charity (sadaqah and khayrat) and perform other good deeds.