Nonprofit Partner Needs Assessment
At Simply the Basics, we have a Mission to support the health of the community. As such, in public health emergencies such as the one we are experiencing now, it is that much more important that we provide the support necessary to the community.
We know that many of our partners are facing great challenges during this time of crisis, and hygiene products are an especially high need. We are prioritizing supply distribution during this time of crisis so that we can most directly help prevent the spread of COVID-19. We have conducted a Nonprofit Partner Assessment so that we can distribute supplies as they become available based on the following prioritization:
Partners providing direct services in April & May.
Partners that offer housing, shelter, and direct client based services in-person.
Partners providing medical services, including but not limited to COVID-19 testing.
Partners that provide for a high risk community, such as the elderly, chronically homeless, and those with pre-existing conditions.
Results of the Nonprofit Assessment:
61% Of Nonprofit Partners continue to operate services in a full or modified capacity.
47% Have clients without access to hand-washing capability.
41% Serve an at-risk community such as the elderly or immunocompromised.
61% Are considered “Essential Services” by their city.
76% Have staff continuing to interact with clients directly.
The top 3 needs being requested are Hand Sanitizers, Masks, Gloves, and Surface Cleaners.
The Number 1 Challenge our nonprofit partners are facing in continuing their services is limited access to Hygiene and PPE supplies.
We have made the strategic decision to distribute 100% of our supplies in short order, this is nearly 6 months worth of supplies. We will also work to collect and purchase supplies as we are able. Even as a volunteer-based organization, we are not allowing the prevention of hosting volunteer groups to stop us from serving the community that needs us most right now! Our board, Ambassadors, and individual volunteers are working hard to meet the needs of our partners.
While this will most certainly create a longer-term challenge to our services, we hope that all of you - our volunteers and donors - will support us as we plan for the need to restock. In this time of crisis we must do everything we can to act NOW.
In the future, we plan to return to hosting hygiene drives, volunteer groups, and serving ALL of our partners at the same capacity as before this began. In the meantime, we will do EVERYTHING we can to support our highest priority partners and the community in this great time of need.