Did you know that government assistance programs do not cover the purchase of personal care products?  A lack of personal care items often has a profound negative effect relating to a sense of self-worth and dignity.  Lack of these items may affect a student’s ability to learn or an adult’s ability to obtain and/or maintain employment.  Restoring each individual’s human dignity is necessary for our communities.

Giving the Basics, a nonprofit in Kansas City, stepped up to the task and is working hard to make sure everyone has access to the basic items needed for personal hygiene.  When Giving the Basics organized in 2012, they were the only known hygiene hub in the United States.  The organization efficiently tracks a need for products and distributes to food pantries and school districts across the metropolitan region, serving over 179,000 people monthly.

So How Can You Help?

1. Throw some extra toiletry items in your bag.  There will be collection bins at a number of the conference hotels, as well as near the registration desk at the conference.  Items needed include: shampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes, floss, kleenex, baby wipes, incontinence pads, soap, deodorant, trash bags, dishwashing liquid, zip lock baggies, cleaning products, feminine hygiene products, toothpaste, laundry detergent, diapers, and toilet paper.  Full-size and travel-size items will be accepted.  If you would like to save your suitcase space and ship items in advance, contact Susan Maier at susan.maier@jocogov.org
   

2. Consider making a monetary donation.  Giving the Basics is a registered 501(c)3 organization.  You can make a monetary donation directly to Giving the Basics at: http://www.givingthebasics.org/donations
   

3. Learn more during the Field Demo. The Conference Host Committee has organized an opportunity for conference attendees to participate in a field demo that will travel to Giving the Basics’ underground cave storage area, help package donated items, and learn how Giving the Basics collects and disperses human dignity items to food pantries and major school districts in the region.  The bus trip takes five minutes and there is no charge for this field demo, but advanced registration is required.  

For more information about Giving the Basics, visit: http://www.givingthebasics.org/