Why Volunteering Feels So Good

At Giving the Basics, we believe dignity starts with access to hygiene—and this June, our Hygiene Hub was overflowing with it. Thanks to an incredible outpouring of support, 17 Corporate Volunteering Groups showed up to serve through meaningful Community Service. Volunteers didn’t just sort products—they created impact, built connections, and reminded us all why it feels so good to give back.

Volunteering is more than just a to‑do list of tasks. It meets something deeper inside us—the need to be part of something bigger, to help others in real and lasting ways. When people step into the Hygiene Hub, they feel that difference immediately: the sense of purpose, the joy of teamwork, the satisfaction of doing good for someone they may never meet. It lifts your heart and lightens your spirit—and in June, we saw that joy in every smile, every high‑five, and every packed box.

June by the Numbers

• 13 corporate groups
• 351 volunteers
• 471,654 hygiene items packed and distributed

Every bar of soap, tube of toothpaste, and bottle of shampoo packed in June is already helping families live with confidence, children return to school with pride, and adults pursue work with dignity.

“Giving the Basics provides mothers and fathers with the ability to care for their kids as needed, without choosing one thing over another. This is how it should be for all.”

— Centralized Supply Chain Service

Corporate Volunteers & Links

• Holmes Murphy Volunteers
• Bernstein‑Rein Advertising Volunteers
• Centralized Supply Chain Service Volunteers

Family‑Friendly Fun, Real‑World Impact

Community Service at Giving the Basics is a team‑building experience like no other—and in June, many companies made it a family affair. Kids and parents worked side‑by‑side, showing the next generation what empathy in action really looks like. Laughter filled the warehouse, and little hands helped pack products that would go on to change someone’s day—or even their week.

“No one should ever feel less than themselves. Basic hygiene should not be a luxury – Give back and be a part of the solution.”

— Key Bank

It was a joy to watch young volunteers light up when they realized how their work helps other kids feel seen, safe, and supported. These moments matter—because they plant the seeds of kindness, compassion, and community in the hearts of tomorrow’s future leaders.

Volunteer Reflections: “I Felt Like I Made a Difference”

Whether it was their first time volunteering or part of an ongoing commitment, June’s corporate teams left the Hygiene Hub with full hearts. There’s something about giving without expecting anything in return that fills you up in a way nothing else can. It’s connection. It’s perspective. It’s joy.

“I loved that I was able to make a change and feel like I did so much in such a short time!”

— Garney Construction Interns

“The efficiency and organization of the entire company was so impressive. They really know what they’re doing!”

— Holmes Murphy

“I like that Giving the Basics talked to us about how our work will impact others, and throughout my volunteering experience today, I truly felt like I was making a difference in other’s lives.”

— Bernstein‑Rein Advertising

At Giving the Basics, volunteers help turn need into hope—one hygiene item at a time. It’s not just about what they do, but about the lives their work touches: kids going to school with confidence, parents showing up to job interviews with dignity, and individuals rebuilding their lives with one less barrier in their way.

June Photo Gallery

Be Part of What Feels So Good

There’s a reason people walk out of Giving the Basics feeling lighter. Helping others reminds us that we’re all connected—and that even one hour of service can ripple out farther than we’ll ever see. Whether you’re a corporate team looking for purpose‑driven impact or a family wanting to teach your kids about compassion, there’s a place for you here.

• Volunteer Today
• Donate now to support Giving the Basics

Together, we can make hygiene accessible for all.

How Tru Earth’s Generosity Is Creating Real Impact

In today’s purpose-driven economy, corporate donations are no longer just a nice-to-have—they’re a strategic and measurable way to strengthen communities, boost brand loyalty, and reflect your organization’s deepest values. At Giving the Basics, we’ve seen firsthand the power of corporate generosity, and one of our standout partners, Tru Earth, continues to prove that when done right, corporate giving is a win for everyone.

Tru Earth (a 1% for the planet partner) has donated more than 1,000,000 eco-friendly laundry detergent sheets to Giving the Basics, helping thousands of families and students across our service area access an often-overlooked basic need: the ability to wear clean clothes with confidence.

The Impact of Corporate Donations—Beyond the Bottom Line

For companies like Tru Earth, corporate donations are more than charitable transactions—they’re tangible expressions of purpose. In communities struggling with hygiene poverty, something as simple as clean laundry can restore dignity, support mental health, and open the door to opportunity.

“Hygiene poverty often goes unseen, but its effects are deeply felt. Through TRU Giving by Tru Earth, we provide laundry detergent to those in need, helping restore a sense of dignity while allowing families to put limited resources towards food, housing, or other essentials. TRU Giving helps us ‘win’ at CSR by turning our values into real-world impact. It shows that Cleaning that Cares is more than a tagline—it’s a genuine commitment to supporting people, protecting dignity, and creating lasting change in the communities we serve.”

—Anita Spiller, VP of ESG at Tru Earth

In other words, corporate donations do more than check a box—they create impact that can be seen, felt, and measured.

CSR That Connects with Consumers and Communities

Today’s consumers want to support businesses that stand for more than profit. In fact:

• 77% of consumers are more likely to purchase from companies committed to making the world a better place (Source)
• 92% of Gen Z and millennials say corporate social responsibility influences their purchasing decisions (Source)

That’s why Tru Earth’s upcoming Buy One, Give One, Gift Back campaign in July is so exciting. For every purchase made, Tru Earth will donate laundry sheets to Giving the Basics—and empower customers to send a gift to someone in need. It’s a beautiful, triple-impact model that connects the dots between consumer values, corporate mission, and community support.

This kind of cause marketing not only drives sales—it builds goodwill, enhances brand trust, and invites everyday people to become part of the solution.

A Smart Way to Use Surplus Products

For large corporations—especially in the personal care and household goods industries—surplus inventory is often seen as a challenge. But what if it could be your greatest asset?

Through Giving the Basics, companies with excess hygiene or cleaning products can turn overstock into life-changing donations for underserved communities. This is particularly impactful in addressing hygiene poverty, which includes the lack of access to:

• Soap, shampoo, deodorant
• Toothpaste, razors, menstrual care products
• Laundry detergent and other personal hygiene items

When companies like Tru Earth donate these essential items, they’re not just solving a storage problem—they’re making a real difference. Plus, donations to 501(c)(3) nonprofits are tax-deductible, offering financial incentives in addition to brand benefits.

Why More Companies Should Follow Tru Earth’s Lead

Whether you’re a local business with extra product or a global brand with a robust ESG strategy, partnering with nonprofits like Giving the Basics offers a clear, actionable path to meaningful CSR. Here’s why:

✅ Efficient Impact: We match your donations to real-time needs at schools, shelters, and senior centers

✅ Public Recognition: We celebrate our partners through blogs, social posts, and donor materials

✅ Tangible Results: You’ll receive updates and data that show the measurable difference you’re making

✅ Team Engagement: Product drives and volunteer events provide excellent employee involvement opportunities

✅ Tax Benefits: Product and monetary donations to Giving the Basics may qualify for charitable deductions

We work with companies of all sizes, and our unique distribution model ensures every item donated goes exactly where it’s needed—nothing wasted, everything purposeful.

Be Part of the Solution

If you’re looking for a way to make your corporate donations more meaningful, sustainable, and aligned with your mission, look no further than Giving the Basics.

Whether you have surplus soap, extra deodorant, or want to sponsor a seasonal campaign, our team is here to help you turn your generosity into lasting impact—just like Tru Earth has.

Together, we can tackle hygiene poverty with dignity, compassion, and action.

👉 Want to get started? Email us at joe@givingthebasics.org to learn how your company can make a difference.