Hygiene poverty is a crisis hiding in plain sight. At Giving the Basics, we see it every day—students too embarrassed to go to school, parents forced to choose between food and toilet paper, and families doing everything they can but still going without. As one of the nation’s leading charity organizations focused exclusively on hygiene relief, we’re committed to ending this invisible struggle by providing free hygiene kits for schools, shelters, pantries, and individuals in need.

What is Hygiene Poverty?

Hygiene poverty is the lack of access to essential personal care items like soap, deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo, period products, diapers, and toilet paper. These are the basics that most of us use without a second thought—but for millions of Americans, they’re simply out of reach.

Government assistance programs like SNAP and WIC don’t cover hygiene products. That means families living paycheck to paycheck are often left without the resources to stay clean, healthy, and dignified.

Why It Matters

Hygiene poverty affects people in every part of our community—from children to seniors, working parents to veterans. And the impacts are both personal and far-reaching:

• Health: Poor hygiene leads to illness, infections, and complications.
• Education: 42% of students experiencing hygiene poverty report being bullied and missing school due to hygiene-related issues: A survey conducted by Provision Promise found that 34% of teachers reported students skipping class due to hygiene issues. provisionpromise.org
• Employment: Without hygiene products, adults face challenges in finding or keeping jobs.
• Dignity: Cleanliness impacts confidence, social relationships, and mental well-being.

Let these numbers sink in:

• 33% of low-income families report bathing without soap due to cost: According to a research project commissioned by Feeding America, 33% of low-income families report bathing without soap when they can’t afford body wash. americanhygienecoalition.org
• 47% of U.S. families with young children struggle to afford diapers: The National Diaper Bank Network’s 2023 Diaper Check reports that nearly half (47%) of U.S. families with young children struggle to afford diapers. nationaldiaperbanknetwork.org
• Hygiene products are not covered by federal assistance, leaving no safety net for basic human dignity.

How Giving the Basics Fights Hygiene Poverty

Giving the Basics was founded in 2011 with one simple goal: to provide the products that make dignity possible. What began in Kansas City has grown into a national hygiene hub, distributing millions of products each year to individuals who need them most.

Here’s how we make an impact:

• School Programs

Through our School Nurse’s Closet and Kansas School Program, we provide monthly shipments of hygiene products to over 770 schools. School nurses, counselors, and social workers distribute items discreetly so students can learn with confidence and dignity.

• Pantry & Shelter Partnerships

We supply hygiene products to 239 pantries, homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, and transitional living programs, helping families and individuals meet their daily needs.

• Police & Community Outreach

Through partnerships with area police departments, we equip officers with hygiene kits to distribute to community members experiencing crisis or homelessness—building trust through compassion.

• Senior & Veteran Support

We provide incontinence and hygiene products to homebound seniors and veterans, partnering with local services that already serve these populations.

Our Impact in 2024:

• Over 3 million people served nationwide
• More than 3,600 volunteers contributed their time and heart
• Millions of hygiene products distributed through our 550+ partner sites

You Can Help End Hygiene Poverty

Whether you’re a parent, educator, community member, or corporate leader—you can be part of the solution. Here’s how:

• Donate: Every dollar helps us purchase hygiene products in bulk and distribute them efficiently.
• Volunteer: Join us at our Kansas City warehouse to pack and sort hygiene boxes.
• Host a Dignity Drive: Organize a product drive at your school, office, or church.
• Partner with Us: We love working with CSR leaders who want to give back with purpose.

Together, we can restore dignity, health, and hope—one bar of soap, one child, one family at a time.