Small Actions, Lasting Impact

KPMG Volunteer Group

Every volunteer shift at Giving the Basics starts the same way: a group of people walks through our doors ready to help. Some arrive with coworkers looking for a team-building experience. Others come with friends, family members, or community organizations hoping to make a difference. What many don’t expect is to leave with a new understanding of just how many people struggle to access basic hygiene products.

Throughout May, volunteers transformed compassion into action at our hygiene bank. Over the course of the month, 287 volunteers from 20 different groups joined us to sort, package, and prepare an incredible 236,889 hygiene products for distribution throughout our service area. Those volunteers represented 18 corporate teams and 2 community groups, each bringing their own energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to serving others.

While the numbers are impressive, they tell only part of the story. Behind every packaged product is a person who will be able to start their day with dignity, confidence, and a sense of normalcy that many of us take for granted.

Seeing the Need Up Close

One of the most powerful aspects of volunteering at Giving the Basics is witnessing the scale of the need firsthand.

Many people know that families struggle with food insecurity. Fewer realize that millions of Americans also face hygiene insecurity—having to choose between purchasing necessities like soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, and other personal care items or paying for rent, utilities, transportation, and groceries.

Volunteers often leave with a deeper appreciation for the role these products play in everyday life.

Bank of America Volunteers

As one Bank of America volunteer shared:

“I think I have come to realize the sheer number of people who really need these products. It’s more than you could possibly imagine.”

That realization is one we hear frequently. Hygiene products are essential to health, education, employment, and overall well-being, yet they are often unavailable through traditional assistance programs. Through the work completed by volunteers, these products reach schools, food pantries, shelters, and nonprofit partners that serve individuals and families throughout our community.

The work may seem simple—sorting, counting, packing, and organizing—but the impact reaches far beyond our warehouse walls.

Corporate Volunteering with Purpose

Corporate volunteering continues to be one of the most impactful ways organizations support Giving the Basics. In May alone, corporate teams accounted for the vast majority of volunteer participation, bringing together employees who wanted to spend time making a meaningful difference in their community.

What makes these volunteer experiences unique is that they create benefits on multiple levels. Employees strengthen relationships with coworkers, organizations demonstrate their commitment to community engagement, and together they help address a critical need affecting thousands of local families.

Blue KC Volunteers

One volunteer from Blue KC reflected on their experience:

“I really like this organization. The world needs more places like this. It was great working with my team, and the provided music was a HUGE plus. Thanks so much for the opportunity.”

Volunteer shifts are intentionally designed so that teams can see the direct results of their efforts. In just a few hours, a group can help prepare thousands of products that will soon be distributed through our network of partner agencies.

There is something powerful about watching coworkers work side by side toward a common goal and knowing that every box completed will ultimately support someone in need.

More Than a Volunteer Shift

Many volunteers tell us they are surprised by how much can be accomplished in a relatively short amount of time.

What may begin as a corporate volunteer day often becomes an eye-opening experience that leaves a lasting impression long after the shift has ended.

A Blue KC volunteer shared:

“I love the mission and the dedication behind it. The friendly and helpful staff. The process was amazing. So much can be accomplished in a relatively short span of time. Also, the number of donated materials demonstrating the kindness of others. Truly a rewarding experience.”

Comments like these remind us that volunteering is about more than completing a task. It is about connecting with a mission, understanding a community need, and becoming part of a larger movement dedicated to helping others.

Every product sorted and packaged represents generosity from donors, dedication from volunteers, and hope for the individuals who will eventually receive those items.

The Power of Hygiene

Perhaps the most moving moments in our volunteer sessions occur when someone shares a personal connection to the mission.

Propio Language Services Volunteers

For one volunteer from Propio, the importance of hygiene products was not theoretical—it was deeply personal.

“I spent two years doing archaeology and living out of my car. The feeling of actually being able to take a shower and feel clean is so powerful.”

Their words capture something that statistics alone cannot.

Access to hygiene products affects how people feel about themselves. It impacts confidence when applying for a job, comfort while attending school, and the ability to participate fully in everyday life. Something as simple as a bar of soap or a tube of toothpaste can help restore dignity during difficult circumstances.

At Giving the Basics, we believe everyone deserves access to these essentials. Our volunteers help make that belief a reality every day.

Looking Ahead

As we reflect on the impact made throughout May, we are filled with gratitude for every individual and organization that chose to spend time serving alongside us.

The efforts of 287 volunteers resulted in 236,889 hygiene products being prepared for distribution. Those products will reach people facing challenges we may never fully see, but whose lives will be made a little easier because someone chose to show up and help.

Whether they came as part of a corporate volunteer team, a community organization, or as individuals looking to give back, each volunteer played an important role in strengthening our community.

Together, they demonstrated that addressing hygiene insecurity is not the responsibility of one organization alone. It takes businesses, community groups, donors, volunteers, and advocates all working together to ensure that everyone has access to the necessities they need to thrive.

To every volunteer who joined us in May: thank you for helping transform everyday products into opportunities for dignity, confidence, and hope.

For many volunteers, seeing the scale of need firsthand creates a deeper understanding of why hygiene products matter. Unlike food assistance programs, hygiene items are often not covered by government assistance programs, leaving many families to choose between essentials.

Corporate volunteering allows teams to step away from their desks and make a tangible difference together. Volunteers consistently tell us that the experience is both meaningful and rewarding.

TELUS Volunteers

Hallmark Volunteers

KC Marriott Business Council Volunteers

BRR Architecture Volunteers

NFM Volunteers

Children’s Mercy Volunteers

symplr Volunteers

KPMG Volunteers

Mariner Volunteers

Stella Maris Volunteers

When most people think about poverty relief, they think about food banks and food pantries. While food assistance organizations play a critical role in fighting hunger, there is another basic need affecting millions of Americans every day that often goes overlooked: hygiene products.

That’s where a hygiene bank comes in.

At Giving the Basics, we often hear people ask, “Is a hygiene bank the same thing as a food pantry?” The short answer is no. While both organizations help individuals and families experiencing hardship, a hygiene bank focuses specifically on providing essential hygiene products that government assistance programs do not cover.

Understanding the difference between a hygiene bank and a food pantry is essential to understanding the hidden crisis of hygiene poverty in America.

What Is a Hygiene Bank?

A hygiene bank is an organization dedicated to collecting, distributing, and providing personal hygiene and household cleaning products to people in need.

Unlike food pantries, which primarily distribute food, a hygiene bank supplies essentials such as:

• Soap
• Shampoo
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes
• Deodorant
• Feminine hygiene products
• Toilet paper
• Diapers
• Laundry detergent
• Dish soap
• Cleaning supplies

These are products most people use every day without thinking twice. Yet for millions of families, these essentials are financially out of reach.

At Giving the Basics, we call this issue hygiene poverty — the inability to afford basic hygiene products necessary for health, dignity, work, and school participation.

As America’s Hygiene Hub, Giving the Basics has distributed more than 36 million hygiene products to over 3.6 million people through a network of schools, nonprofits, senior centers, veterans organizations, shelters, and community agencies.

What Is a Food Pantry?

A food pantry is a community-based organization that distributes groceries and food items to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.

Food pantries help address hunger by providing:

• Shelf-stable foods
• Fresh produce
• Frozen foods
• Canned goods
• Dairy products
• Meat
• Bread and grains

Food pantries are a vital part of the hunger relief network in the United States. Many work alongside food banks, which store and distribute large quantities of food to local agencies.

Because hunger is a visible and widely discussed issue, food assistance programs have developed strong national support systems. Government programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) exist specifically to help families purchase food.

But hygiene products fall into a completely different category.

The Biggest Difference Between a Hygiene Bank and a Food Pantry

The most important difference between a hygiene bank and a food pantry is this:

Food assistance programs exist. Hygiene assistance programs largely do not.

Federal programs like SNAP and WIC cannot be used to purchase hygiene items like soap, deodorant, toothpaste, toilet paper, diapers, or laundry detergent.

That means families already struggling to afford food, housing, transportation, and healthcare must also find room in their budget for hygiene essentials.

For many households, that simply isn’t possible.

According to research highlighted by Giving the Basics:

• One in three low-income families struggles to afford basic household necessities, including hygiene products.
• Thirty-three percent of low-income households report bathing without soap when they cannot afford hygiene supplies.
• Nearly three-quarters of families experiencing hygiene insecurity skip laundry or dishwashing to conserve products.

This is why hygiene banks are so important.

A hygiene bank fills the gap left behind by traditional assistance systems.

Why Hygiene Products Matter

Some people mistakenly view hygiene products as “extras” instead of necessities. But hygiene impacts nearly every part of daily life.

Without access to hygiene products:

• Students may miss school
• Adults may struggle to maintain employment
• Families may experience increased health issues
• Children may face bullying or embarrassment
• Seniors may lose dignity and independence

Research shows hygiene insecurity directly affects educational outcomes and workforce participation.

Imagine trying to attend a job interview without deodorant, wash your clothes without detergent, or go to school without toothpaste or menstrual products.

For millions of Americans, this is not hypothetical.

Hygiene products help people show up confidently at school, work, medical appointments, and in their communities.

At Giving the Basics, we believe hygiene is not a luxury. It is a basic human need.

Why Food Pantries Often Cannot Meet Hygiene Needs

Many people assume food pantries already provide hygiene products. While some food pantries distribute limited toiletries when donations are available, most are not equipped to consistently supply hygiene essentials.

There are several reasons for this:

Hygiene products are expensive

Unlike canned food drives, hygiene drives are less common and often generate fewer donations.

There is no government reimbursement

Food programs often receive federal support. Hygiene programs generally do not.

Demand is extremely high

Products like deodorant, diapers, toothpaste, and toilet paper are consistently among the most requested items at community agencies.

Hygiene products are harder to source

Because they are not perishable, hygiene items are not donated through traditional food supply chains at the same volume as food products.

This is why dedicated hygiene banks like Giving the Basics are essential.

How Giving the Basics Is Different

Giving the Basics is not simply a food pantry with toiletries.

Giving the Basics is a hygiene bank dedicated exclusively to hygiene insecurity and hygiene poverty.

Through partnerships with schools, nonprofits, veterans programs, law enforcement agencies, senior centers, foster organizations, shelters, and social service agencies, Giving the Basics distributes hygiene products where they are needed most.

This specialized approach allows Giving the Basics to:

• Source large-scale hygiene donations
• Purchase products in bulk
• Build efficient distribution systems
• Respond quickly to community needs
• Focus entirely on hygiene insecurity

The organization serves thousands of people every month with products many families cannot otherwise afford.

And because hygiene poverty often remains hidden, Giving the Basics also works to educate communities about the importance of hygiene access.

The Growing Need for Hygiene Banks

The need for hygiene banks continues to grow nationwide.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 35 million Americans live below the federal poverty line.

At the same time:

• Inflation continues to increase household expenses
• Hygiene product costs continue to rise
• Many working families still live paycheck to paycheck

When budgets become tight, hygiene products are often among the first items sacrificed.

Families dilute soap with water, reuse diapers, skip laundry, or go without essential products entirely.

This growing reality has increased awareness around the importance of hygiene banks and organizations like Giving the Basics.

How You Can Help a Hygiene Bank

Hygiene poverty is solvable — but only when communities come together.

You can support Giving the Basics and help expand access to essential hygiene products by:

• Donating hygiene items
• Hosting a hygiene drive
• Volunteering
• Making a financial contribution
• Sharing awareness about hygiene poverty

Even a small donation can help provide soap, toothpaste, deodorant, diapers, and other essentials to individuals and families facing hardship.

Every product distributed represents more than hygiene. It represents dignity, confidence, health, and hope.

Get Involved with Giving the Basics

At Giving the Basics, we believe no one should have to choose between buying food and buying soap.

Food pantries play an important role in fighting hunger. But hygiene banks fill another critical gap — helping families access the everyday essentials that allow them to live with dignity.

As America’s Hygiene Hub, Giving the Basics is leading the movement to end hygiene poverty and expand access to basic hygiene products for all.

How Bulk Hygiene Donations Save Nonprofits Thousands

For nonprofits, especially hygiene banks working to meet basic needs, every dollar matters. At the same time, demand for hygiene products like shampoo, deodorant, soap, and feminine care items continues to rise in schools, shelters, and community programs.

That’s where bulk hygiene donations become transformational.

For organizations like Giving the Basics, bulk product partnerships are not just helpful — they are foundational to how we operate. They allow us to stretch every donated dollar further, reach more people, and ensure dignity is accessible to those who need it most.

The True Cost of Hygiene Poverty

Hygiene products are often overlooked in traditional assistance programs, yet they are essential for health, confidence, attendance at school and work, and overall well-being.

When nonprofits have to purchase every product they distribute, the cost adds up quickly. Even basic hygiene items like soap can become expensive at scale.

That’s why bulk donations from corporate partners play such a critical role: they eliminate major procurement costs and allow organizations to focus resources on distribution, outreach, and impact.

Why Companies Choose to Donate in Bulk

For product-based companies, bulk donation is not just philanthropy — it is also a smart operational decision.

One of our partners, MegaBabe Beauty, shared how bulk donation aligns with their mission and business reality:

“Megababe is built on the idea that feeling comfortable in your body shouldn’t be a luxury. Bulk donation is one of the most direct ways we can live that out beyond the shelf.”

Many companies face periodic excess inventory due to:

• Packaging updates
• Formula or product changes
• Overproduction

Rather than letting usable product sit in storage or go to waste, bulk donation allows companies to redirect that inventory toward meaningful community impact.

As MegaBabe explained:

“Bulk donations allow us to put that product to real use instead of letting it collect dust in a warehouse or, worse, go to a landfill.”

This approach not only reduces waste — it turns a logistical challenge into measurable social impact.

Why Distribution Partners Matter

Bulk donation only works when there is a trusted system to move products into communities efficiently.

MegaBabe emphasized this clearly:

“A reliable distribution partner means we can give with confidence that the product is handled properly, is reaching the right communities, and making a real impact.”

This is where infrastructure matters.

At Giving the Basics, donated products are:

• Received through established in-kind partnerships
• Sorted and organized by volunteers
• Packaged into quantities for distribution
• Picked up or shipped directly to schools, shelters, and community partners

This system ensures donated goods move quickly and efficiently from warehouse to the people who need them most.

Turning Product Donations into Greater Impact

Bulk donations don’t just reduce costs — they multiply impact.

Because of generous in-kind partners, Giving the Basics is able to:

• Distribute $3 in products for every $1 donated
• Receive large scale shipments of product, more than 5 million hygiene products from partners so far this year
• Rely on volunteers to sort and package donations, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars annually in operational costs

Every donated product represents:

• One less item that must be purchased
• Moments of dignity and hope for the person served

The Human Impact Behind Every Donation

While bulk donation is efficient from an operational standpoint, its greatest value is human.

MegaBabe shared:

“Our team pours a lot of care into these products, and knowing they’re reaching people who might not otherwise have access to them is more meaningful than any sales number.”

That sentiment reflects what we see every day.

A bottle of shampoo or stick of deodorant may seem small, but for a student or parent facing financial strain, it can mean:

• Feeling confident at school or work
• Reduced stress in daily life
• A sense of dignity and normalcy

What Companies Look for in Donation Partnerships

Effective bulk donation programs require more than just excess inventory — they require alignment.

MegaBabe shared the key considerations they evaluate:

• Product quality and usability
• Credibility and reach of the receiving organization
• Strong distribution infrastructure
• Confidence that donation will create real impact

As they put it:

“We’d rather do it right than just do it fast.”

That mindset is what makes partnerships sustainable and impactful long-term.

Why Bulk Donation Works

In a single sentence, MegaBabe captured the heart of it:

“Because Megababe believes everyone deserves to feel good in their body, and donation is one of the ways we try to make our products as accessible as possible.”

For nonprofits like Giving the Basics, that accessibility is what turns corporate generosity into community impact at scale.

Final Thought

Bulk hygiene donations are more than supply chain efficiency — they are a powerful bridge between corporate surplus and human need.

They reduce waste, lower nonprofit costs, and most importantly, ensure that essential hygiene products reach the people who need them most.

When companies and nonprofits align around dignity, the impact multiplies far beyond what either could achieve alone.

Partner With Us

If your company is interested in learning more about how bulk hygiene donations can create meaningful community impact—or exploring a partnership with Giving the Basics—we’d love to connect.

To learn more or start a bulk donation partnership, visit:

https://givingthebasics.org/product-donations/

From Absences to Confidence

Every day across the region, school nurses quietly solve problems most people never see.

A student afraid classmates will think they have lice.

A child missing class because of an accident and no change of clothes.

A girl staying home during her period.

A family asking if shampoo can be sent home in a backpack.

These moments happen more often than people realize—and they reveal the hidden impact of hygiene poverty in schools.

That’s why access to hygiene for schools matters so deeply. Today, nearly 300,000 hygiene items are reaching students each month, helping school nurses and counselors support students not just academically—but personally, socially, and emotionally.

Here’s what they’re seeing firsthand.

Students Are Missing Fewer Classes

One of the clearest changes school nurses report is improved attendance.

“Students feel more comfortable coming in asking for hygiene assistance. By having these products available for them, we have reduced the number of students leaving because of an ‘accident’ needing to go home to change—which used to result in missing classes.”

Research supports what nurses are seeing. Access to hygiene supplies and hand hygiene support in schools has been shown to reduce illness-related absences by as much as 51% in some school-based interventions.

And when students stay in school, they stay connected—to learning, friendships, and opportunity.

Students Are More Confident Asking for Help

When hygiene products are consistently available, students stop feeling embarrassed about asking.

At Osawatomie USD 367, a nurse shared:

“A student was crying on arrival to school due to bad dandruff. They were out of shampoo at home and scared peers would think they had lice. We were able to help the student wash their hair in the sink and provide the supplies they were out of at home.”

Moments like this change how students experience school. Instead of anxiety, they feel relief. Instead of hiding, they participate.

Students Participate More Fully in School Activities

Access to hygiene items in schools doesn’t just affect attendance—it affects confidence.

School nurses report:

“There has been an increase in students’ participation in sports at recess due to them knowing they can get deodorant from the nurse’s office if they are worried about smelling after.”

They’re also seeing earlier and healthier hygiene habits develop:

“More 4th and 5th graders are using deodorant in general.”

And students are learning preventative care:

“Students were more proactive this winter about their dry skin. They were asking for lip balm and using it before their lips became so cracked and dry that they bleed.”

These small shifts create lasting habits that support both health and self-esteem.

Girls Are Missing Fewer Days During Their Periods

Across the country, nearly one in four teens who menstruate has struggled to afford period products.

That lack of access—known as period poverty—directly contributes to missed school days and lower engagement.

School nurses are seeing the difference access makes immediately.

At Burrton USD 369, staff shared:

“The girls are less likely to be gone during their cycle. They are more open about when they need things also.”

At Spring Hill Elementary USD 230:

“Girls have developed more confidence around coming into the nurse office for pads.”

When products are available without barriers, students stay in class—and feel supported while they’re there.

Families Are Receiving Support Beyond the Classroom

For many districts, hygiene kits for schools help support entire households—not just individual students.

From Jayhawk USD 346:

“We are able to wash students’ clothes that have been worn several days in a row and have a bad odor. I wash students’ clothes every day. Students have hygiene products they can take home and use.”

And families are increasingly reaching out directly for help.

At Burrton USD 369:

“At least a few times a month, families will reach out asking if I can put extra shampoo, soap, feminine hygiene products, toilet paper, or laundry soap in their child’s backpack for take home… it is SUCH a relief to have those items available.”

Access to these essentials reduces stress for caregivers and strengthens the relationship between families and schools.

Hygiene Products Help Prevent Escalating Concerns

Sometimes hygiene support prevents much larger problems.

A school social worker in Kearney explained:

“These hygiene items are key to prevention of hotline calls for concerns of neglect. When teachers express concern that a child is wearing dirty clothes or has poor hygiene, it has been a blessing to offer these products to remedy the concern and not have to get other agencies involved.”

Access to hygiene items at school allows educators to respond with support instead of escalation. That changes outcomes for students—and families.

Schools Are Supporting the Whole Child

At Osawatomie USD 367, staff described their approach this way:

“This program is such a help to our district which is in a low SES community. We provide these products to students and families without question on need. We believe in supporting our students beyond the bell to bell within the classroom. Our support extends beyond our school doors.”

That’s exactly what hygiene access makes possible.

When students feel clean, confident, and prepared, they are more likely to attend school regularly, participate fully, and focus on learning.

And when school nurses have the right tools, they can respond immediately—before small challenges become barriers to success.

Why Hygiene Items for Schools Matter More Than Ever

Hygiene poverty is often invisible—but its effects are not.

It shows up in missed class time.

In reduced confidence.

In families quietly asking for help.

And in students who just want to feel like they belong.

By delivering nearly 300,000 hygiene items to schools each month, communities are helping school nurses and counselors do what they do best: remove barriers so students can thrive.

Because sometimes the difference between missing school and succeeding in it is something as simple as shampoo, deodorant, or a clean shirt.

And sometimes dignity starts with hygiene.

Help Provide Hygiene to Schools

Right now, students across our region are walking into school worried about things they shouldn’t have to think about—whether they smell, whether they have shampoo at home, or whether they’ll have what they need during their period.

Access to hygiene items at school changes that.

Because of community support, nearly 300,000 hygiene items reach local students every month—but the need continues to grow as more school nurses and counselors request help for the students and families they serve.

You can be part of the solution.

Here are four ways to help:

Donate hygiene items

Collect shampoo, deodorant, soap, pads, and other essentials with your workplace, school, or community group.

Give online

Financial gifts help provide the most-requested products quickly and efficiently to school nurses supporting students right now.

Start a hygiene drive

Hosting a drive is one of the easiest ways to provide hygiene items for schools and make a direct local impact.

Get Your Company Involved

Giving the Basics offers several ways for companies to make an impact.

Because when students have what they need to feel clean and confident, they can focus on what matters most—learning.