At Giving the Basics, we believe every student deserves to feel clean, confident, and cared for—every single day. That’s why our partnerships with local schools are such a vital part of our mission.
When schools provide students with basic hygiene products—things like soap, toothpaste, deodorant, or feminine hygiene items—they’re offering more than just cleanliness. They’re giving kids the dignity to show up, speak up, and be fully present in their education. And when school lets out for summer? That support still matters. Because hygiene poverty doesn’t take a break.
Supporting Students All Year Long
One of our school partners is Ruskin High School in Kansas City, serving over 1,400 students. Sam, the Family School Liaison, manages the distribution of hygiene products at the school—and sees the impact of our partnership every single day.
“Every day, a student comes up and asks if I have something. It might be deodorant. It might be shampoo. It’s constant,” Sam shared. “Giving the Basics has been amazing in helping us meet those needs—month after month.”
Over the past several years, Giving the Basics has provided monthly hygiene product deliveries, which Sam organizes and distributes directly to teachers, coaches, the SPED department, and any student who asks. In fact, many students know they can come to the office whenever they need something—no questions asked.
“We have a Giving the Basics poster up so they know where to go. It makes them feel comfortable asking, and that’s everything.”
Removing Barriers to Attendance and Learning
For students experiencing hygiene poverty, school can be a place of stress and shame. If they don’t have deodorant or feminine hygiene products, they may avoid attending altogether. That’s where Giving the Basics steps in.
“This is a low-income school,” Sam explained. “And for a lot of our students, the cost of hygiene products is one more thing holding them back. When you remove that barrier, it actually makes them want to come to school.”
By helping students meet their basic needs, we’re also helping them feel seen, valued, and ready to learn. Sam told us about a student who wrote a letter after receiving Giving the Basics items. In it, the student explained how their family was now able to save money for rent because they didn’t have to choose between buying soap or paying bills.
That’s the real cost of hygiene poverty. And that’s the real power of our partnerships.
Summer Doesn’t Stop the Need
Many of our school partners—like Sam’s—serve students even during school breaks. That means the need for hygiene items doesn’t slow down in the summer. In fact, it often grows.
“We have students and families reaching out over the summer too. And when that happens, Giving the Basics is still here. We’ve been able to send home care packages with the students who need them and we have staff in the building to get the families what they need.”
Through reliable, ongoing support, Giving the Basics helps schools serve as a steady source of dignity—even when school isn’t officially in session.
Looking Ahead
Sam handles most of the distribution at her school, ensuring that items go to the right people at the right time. Teachers, coaches, and school staff know she has the supplies—and they trust her to meet student needs with discretion and care.
“The teachers don’t usually hand it out themselves—I do that. Students know they can come directly to me. They know we have it. That awareness is so important.”
And the impact? It goes beyond the classroom.
“Parents are so excited to know these products are available. They feel supported. That’s huge.”
As Sam looks toward the future, she says the school’s goal is simple: maintain the partnership and continue providing for students.
“We want Giving the Basics to know the difference they’re making here. It’s not just a delivery—it’s real, tangible help for families who need it. We hope to keep this partnership strong for a long time.”
For other schools thinking about partnering with Giving the Basics, Sam’s message is clear:
“If you can take away even one barrier—like hygiene—you’re giving kids the chance to just be kids. They shouldn’t feel like they can’t be clean. Everyone deserves that.”
How You Can Help
Giving the Basics supports schools across the country by providing hygiene products at zero cost, with zero qualification. Whether you’re a parent, educator, business, or community member, you can help support students and families in your area by donating hygiene items or funds to help stock school shelves, requesting hygiene products for your school or organization, or learning more about our mission to eliminate hygiene poverty across the U.S. When you help provide the basics, you’re giving back something no one should go without—dignity, confidence, and a clean start. Let’s keep showing up. All year long. All hands in.
