host a hygiene drive: be a wellness champion
Collect essential items and empower those in need.
Individuals & Organizations
Gather your friends, members and neighbors together to donate and solicit personal care items.
Businesses
Encourage your employees and customers to donate items for a set time or ongoing.
why host a hygiene drive
hygiene drives provide essential items, fostering confidence and well-being
Hygiene poverty impacts millions, affecting physical and mental health, job opportunities and social interactions. By hosting a hygiene drive, you’re providing essential hygiene products to those who need them most.
1 in 3 low-income people in the US struggle with hygiene poverty. Hosting a drive helps bridge this gap.
Your drive empowers individuals and families. Hygiene items boost confidence, allowing people to participate fully in work, school and social activities.
It’s easy to get started
Get all the tools you need for a successful drive.
01
REQUEST YOUR HYGIENE DRIVE TOOLKIT
We will provide you with the tools, support and resources you need to host a successful drive.
02
BEGIN COLLECTING PRODUCTS
You manage the details and execution of the drive in ways that work best for you.
03
SHARE YOUR IMPACT
Together, we will amplify the good work you are doing to support neighbors in need.
get started
your drive contributes to a healthier, more empowered community
Every collection provides essential hygiene products like shampoo, soap, and toothpaste, promoting well-being for those in need.
Hygiene drives strengthen community connections and empower individuals to take charge of their health and well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a hygiene drive?
A hygiene drive is an organized collection of personal care hygiene products, like body wash, for people who are struggling to afford them. We are asking people to contribute full size toiletries and other daily essentials to be distributed to neighbors in need by nonprofits in our community.
What are the items needed?
Bridge to Basics is requesting full-size personal hygiene products. The requested items are: Body Wash, Deodorant, Diapers (infant to adult), Conditioner, Shampoo, Laundry Detergent, Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Hand Soap, Menstrual Care Items, Lotions, Razors, and Toilet Paper.
Are there any special requests?
Bridge to Basics provides these items to food shelves and schools. Because hygiene care is personal, please consider contributing a variety of products including those that are ethnically and culturally appropriate and also acceptable to those with health sensitivities (i.e. fragrance, parabens and sulfate free). The goal is to allow neighbors in need to get the products that are right for their personal care.
Who gets the hygiene products?
While Bridge to Basics is the recipient of the donated items, they get them to struggling families and individuals through their nonprofit network. Like a food bank, Bridge to Basics’ hygiene bank distributes these daily essentials to their network who in turn gives the products to those individuals and families they support. This keeps relationships intact and improves access to these items for those who need them.
be a part of the solution
If a hygiene drive isn’t right for your organization, we have a couple of other ways for large and small groups to address the hygiene gap in the Twin Cities.
BUILD FAMILY HYGIENE CARE BAGS
— FULL SIZE ITEMS FOR FAMILIES STRUGGLING
Are you looking for a service opportunity for 10-25 people? Buy, build and pack grocery bags full of a month’s supply of hygiene items for struggling families. We can provide you with a toolkit including pack list and suggested shopping ideas.
BUILD HYGIENE KITS
— TRAVEL-SIZE ITEMS FOR HOUSING INSECURE NEIGHBORS
This is a meaningful opportunity for large and small groups to create individual hygiene kits for distribution to unhoused neighbors. Determine a budget, buy the necessary items and then get your team together to pack the kits. We can provide you with a toolkit including pack list and suggested shopping ideas.