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School should be a place where students learn, connect, and grow — not a place where basic hygiene needs become barriers to attendance, dignity, confidence, and success. But for many students, access to everyday hygiene essentials isn’t a given. Rising costs and limited resources can make products like deodorant, toothpaste, or menstrual care items feel

September was a month full of teamwork, energy, and purpose at Giving the Basics, located in Kansas City, Kansas—also known as America’s Hygiene Hub. Our warehouse buzzed with activity as 355 volunteers from 19 corporate groups rolled up their sleeves to help families live with dignity. Together, they packed 325,969 hygiene items, from shampoo and

In 2025, the need for access to basic hygiene items has never been greater. Families across the United States are facing tough choices between food, rent, and personal care essentials. Yet hygiene products—soap, deodorant, toothpaste, feminine care—remain excluded from government assistance programs. This gap has created a hidden crisis. Millions of children, parents, and seniors

NFM Volunteers At Giving the Basics, July was bursting with purpose and people. Our warehouse was full of momentum as corporate volunteer groups from across the region came together for one shared goal: helping families live with dignity. From hygiene order packing to team huddles and high-fives, every shift proved exactly why volunteering wins—for the

Why Volunteering Feels So Good Holmes Murphy Volunteers: https://www.holmesmurphy.com/ 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

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,

As the final school bell rings and summer begins, many children feel a wave of freedom. But for families living on the edge of poverty, summer doesn’t mean fun in the sun—it often means losing access to some of the most basic things they need to live with dignity. At Giving the Basics, we know

What if dignity started with something as simple as deodorant? At Giving the Basics, we believe it can. Because overcoming hygiene poverty isn’t about luxury—it's about opportunity. It’s about the quiet ways being clean gives you the confidence to show up for life. And it's about what happens when that confidence is taken away. This

On Saturday, May 31st in Kansas City, Missouri,  Giving the Basics Founder and CEO, Teresa Hamilton, was honored by the Kansas City Royals’ in a special moment of recognition in their Buck O’Neil Legacy Seat. ⚾💙 This honor is reserved for individuals who embody the spirit of service, compassion, and community leadership—values that Buck O’Neil

Because Periods Shouldn’t Cost a Student Her Dignity At Giving the Basics, we believe that everyone deserves access to basic hygiene products—no matter their age, background, or financial situation. But one critical need often goes overlooked, even in the broader conversation about hygiene poverty: menstrual products. That’s why Menstrual Hygiene Day  (May 28) is so