How It Works
Simply the Basics launched the first large-scale Hygiene Bank in the nation in 2015. The purpose of our "Hygiene Bank" is to ensure organizations serving individuals and families living with limited income or experiencing homelessness always have access to their most basic needs, and help to redistribute the items they do not to avoid waste.
In the same way that a single meal will not solve hunger, a single hygiene kit will not solve hygiene-related health issues. As such, Simply the Basics provides ongoing hygiene supplies through a myriad of methods including direct to recipient care for sustained health and wellness.
☑ Hygiene Kits
We distribute two different types of customized hygiene kits to our Receiving Site Partners. Our ‘Daily Essentials’ Kits are filled with at least 10 different everyday essentials such as shampoo, body wash, socks, and deodorant. We also offer our ‘Rinse Free Necessities’ Kits which still includes many of the same items such as socks and dental care but also includes items like shower free body wipes and SPF to ensure we are meeting the needs of neighbors who may not have regular shower access. All of our kits are assembled within reusable water-resistant and mold proof tote bags.
☑ Bulk Supplies
Receiving sites we support choose the supplies to receive ensuring we are always delivering the community's most pressing needs. Selections can be based upon item size, culturally appropriate needs, scent, by age, and so forth.
☑ Hygiene Markets
Open and free Hygiene Markets hosted at various locations in the community for families and individuals to chose the hygiene supplies they need most.
☑ Individual Needs
We provide unique client needs for health, such as specified skin ointments, hair textures, and age specific products.
Why it works
☑ Quality
All supplies are processed through our Quality Control Standards, ensuring new, unexpired, and quality supplies.
☑ Feedback
We receive feedback from Recipients to continuously improve and learn about what products are most needed.
☑ Connection
By distributing supplies through our receiving site partners, staff is able to build trust and foster relationships and connections with clients to better help them navigate and enter services and programs.
☑ Consistency
One time hand outs do not solve hygiene insecurity. Only through consistent and reliable access can someone improve their health and reach their goals. This is why all of our deliveries are on a recurring schedule.
☑ Improved staff time
By helping to fill the gap and provide to our receiving site partners the supplies their programs and our community needs most, we are able to save over 8+ hours of their staff time. That’s a whole day saved!
Are you an individual looking for support?
You can visit our Hygiene Locator to find a hygiene bank or hygiene service near you. If there is not yet a location listed in your area, you can contact us by clicking “Notify Simply the Basics of a Location Request”, and we will connect with you to find hygiene in you area.
Are you an organization looking for support?
Head to our Partnership Page to learn more about the ways you may be eligible to work together.