New ‘Hygiene Locator’ Gives Out Free Soap, Deodorant, Tampons For Those In Need

by Gus Gonzalez
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Updated on July 12, 2023

For most of us, buying a bar of soap or our favorite shampoo is just another part of our routine.

But what if you had to choose between buying soap or possibly going hungry? It’s a reality that many people with limited incomes have to make every day.

However, there’s one organization that wants to change that. Simply The Basics’ Hygiene Locator has set up hygiene stations to provide bare essentials to those who need them most.

Want to learn more about the company’s mission and how to help? Let’s dive into the details.

What Is Hygiene Insecurity?

Before we get to know more about Simply the Basics’ new initiative, let’s take a moment and talk about hygiene insecurity.

Sometimes referred to as “hygiene poverty,” hygiene insecurity is when a family struggles to afford essential hygiene items such as toilet paper, grooming products, shampoo, or shower soap.

It may be hard to believe, but more families struggle with this than you’d think. Feeding America reports that 74% of families who can’t afford household necessities skip washing dishes or doing laundry. 35% of these households also report bathing without soap.

Making these choices adds another stressor to someone’s life. It can subject them to discrimination and other hardships no one should ever have to endure.

What Does Simply The Basics Do?

Simply The Basics is a nonprofit charity that aims to tackle hygiene insecurity head-on and ensure everyone has the essential items they need.

Inspired by Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Simply The Basics believe that when a person can’t meet their basic hygiene needs, they’ll struggle with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues that prevent them from moving forward with their lives.

With this in mind, the organization launched the first large-scale Hygiene Bank to ensure low-income communities nationwide can always have access to bare essentials.

How Do The Hygiene Locators Work?

If you’ve seen a food bank or a clothing donation drive, the hygiene locator will work almost the same.

Simply The Basics partners with community and nonprofit hygiene distributors that pass their rigorous requirements and have set up hygiene banks and distribution centers around the globe.

You’ll have access to a wide range of essentials like:

  • Soaps
  • Shampoos
  • Deodorants
  • Tampons
  • Grooming items
  • And more!

Hygiene Locators are stocked with everything required to keep everyone in the household clean, free of charge. All you need to do is look up your closest location and connect with your local distributor to get started!

Where Are These Hygiene Stations Located?

Most of these hygiene stations will be strategically near lower-income communities that need it most. The locations are a mix of social service agencies, community centers, and other areas frequented by those struggling with hygiene insecurity.

Since many of these locations already work with these communities, it’s easy for vulnerable groups to access the resources they need in a non-judgmental environment.

How You Can Help

The best part about the Hygiene Locator is that anyone can get involved! Anything you do could be a huge help, from volunteering opportunities to making a donation.

Larger businesses can also participate by donating, sponsoring a Hygiene Locator, or even starting their own hygiene activity.

No matter what you choose to do, each effort counts towards helping people get the basics they need to improve their quality of life.

The Bottom Line

We all deserve the right to basic hygiene.

With initiatives like Simply The Basics’ Hygiene Locator, a future where anyone can readily access their essentials without sacrificing their daily meal may become a reality.

This is more than simply getting people a bottle of shampoo. It’s about ensuring everyone has access to the basics, so they can focus on building a better future for themselves and their loved ones.

Let’s keep pushing for a world where everyone feels clean, confident, and ready to succeed in anything they do. If you’re interested, check out how to get involved with Simply The Basics’ mission today!

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