1 IN 3 LOW-INCOME FAMILIES EXPERIENCE HYGIENE POVERTY
a hidden crisis
The struggle to afford housing and food is well documented and discussed; however, there is a hidden crisis of hygiene insecurity, also known as hygiene poverty. If people cannot buy enough groceries to feed themselves and other hungry family members, they are also unable to pay for daily care essentials.
Why?
Personal care products are expensive, taxed and not covered by SNAP, WIC or any federal benefits program. This means that families are making difficult choices and trade-offs that jeopardize health and well-being.
what does this mean?
With nonprofits addressing food insecurity seeing record visits, families are continuing to make trade-offs between food and hygiene. And putting their health and well-being in jeopardy. Additionally, the inability to afford essential care products further stresses, stigmatizes and isolates individuals and families from being fully present in our community. This crisis needs to be discussed, researched and supported with the same passion and commitment that food and shelter demand.
HYGIENE INSECURITY DATA
69% of families skip laundry or washing dishes when they can’t afford products
58% of households spend less on food to afford hygiene products – with nearly ¼ of these families doing so each month
50% of families worry about meeting hygiene needs and social stigma of their appearance and health
33% of families report bathing without soap due to affordability
32% of families report reusing diapers
To learn more, read Feeding America’s research study
“In Short Supply: American Families Struggle to Secure Everyday Essentials”
Research is very limited on hygiene insecurity in the United States; however, the Feeding America research study highlights the trade-offs, impacts and risks associated with those experiencing hygiene insecurity. With record food shelf visits in our state and inflation, we know these needs have only increased.
introducing the hygiene bank
A new model must be introduced to our nonprofit community. Like a food bank, a hygiene bank needs to be built, fueled and leveraged to provide robust inventory to meet the need. Bridge to Basics is this bank. Alongside nonprofits, corporations, healthcare, government and individuals, we are building a hygiene bank for a thriving community.