If you are facing the misfortune of homelessness, you probably will soon realize that even the simplest tasks can become incredibly challenging.
One such challenge is maintaining personal cleanliness. Without a stable income and a place to store personal belongings, access to basic essentials like soap, shampoo, and toothpaste can be a daily struggle.
Another major obstacle is the financial stress. When every penny counts towards securing food, shelter, or other pressing needs, allocating money for personal care products may seem impossible. What makes the situation worse is that many financial assistance programs available to homeless people do not include the provision of personal hygiene products.
If you find yourself in this situation and are seeking assistance, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog, we’ll offer you a list of organizations and programs that provide homeless people with free personal hygiene kits and other relevant support.
Homeless Shelters
The easiest way to get a hygiene kit is to check with local homeless shelters. Many shelters provide basic toiletry items as part of their services, including soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, combs, towels, razors and shaving cream.
However, not all shelters have adequate stock of hygiene supplies. They often rely on donations and lack of funding can sometimes lead to shortages.
Food Banks and Food Pantries
While the primary focus of food banks is distributing food, it’s worth noting that many of them also provide hygiene kits in collaboration with partners to support homeless people.
When you visit a food bank to access food assistance, it’s a good idea to inquire about the availability of hygiene kits. If they run out of stock, remember to ask if they can direct you to other organizations or programs in the area that offer such resources.
Community Resource Centers
Community resource centers can serve as valuable hubs for individuals experiencing homelessness or facing financial difficulties. They often go beyond providing food and clothing and may offer free bulk toiletries as well, including items such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, and other essential hygiene products.
It’s worth noting that not all hygiene items are available at all times. When seeking assistance from these centers, it is better to inquire about the availability of free hygiene products. They may distribute these items directly or be able to direct you to partners or programs that provide such resources.
Charity Groups
There are several charity groups that provide free hygiene products to individuals experiencing homelessness. Apart from obtaining names from shelters or food banks, you can easily search on Google for charities in your area that offer this support. Here are a few examples:
Simply the Basics: Simply the Basics is a nonprofit hygiene bank that provides hygiene products to help low-income and homeless individuals stay clean and healthy. They launched the first large-scale hygiene bank in 2015, which distribute personal hygiene kits to needy individuals through collaboration with various partners.
They also host Hygiene Markets at different locations, where needy families and individuals can chose the hygiene products they need most.
You can simply use their Hygiene Locator to find the closet hygiene bank in your area. If they have not yet provide hygiene service in your neighborhood, you can also contact them to connect you with hygiene supplies nearby.
Giving The Basics: Giving The Basics is a Kansas-based non-profit that provides personal care and hygiene products to needy individuals, including homeless people.
With your help, Giving The Basics provides the necessities of life that most people take for granted such as laundry soap, shampoo, deodorant, toilet paper and other personal care hygiene products to registered and approved locations.
The Healing Hands Project: The Healing Hands Project is a non-profit that specifically provide free menstrual hygiene kits to homeless and low-income women. These kits include essentials like tampons and pads, as well as medication for cramps. They distribute kits to shelters throughout Washington State and the Pacific Northwest.
Make It Easier to Find the Help You Need
Whether you’re searching for the nearest food bank or charities that distribute free hygiene products, having reliable internet and mobile service can make a significant difference.
You may be skeptical, thinking that these services are even more expensive than toiletries themselves. However, I assure you that there are indeed ways to access cheap or even free mobile and internet service. Here are a few options to consider:
Free Wi-Fi Hotspots: Many public spaces, such as libraries and cafes, offer free Wi-Fi access. You can use these hotspots to connect to the internet and access information about available local resources and services.
Community Programs: Local organizations or nonprofits may offer programs that provide free or low-cost mobile and internet services to low-income or homeless individuals. Check with local social services agencies or community centers for information on such programs in your neighborhood.
Lifeline Assistance Program (Lifeline): Lifeline is a government assistance program that provides discounted or free phone and internet service to eligible low-income individuals and families, including homeless people.
Eligible customers can receive a discount on Lifeline plans of $9.25 per month. Whether your income falls at or below 135% of the federal poverty guideline or you participate in other qualifying government programs such as Public Housing Assistance (FPHA) Section 8 or Veterans Pension and Survivor Benefit, you can meet the eligibility requirements for Lifeline benefits.
FREE Phone from EASY Wireless
If you apply for Lifeline through a participating provider like EASY Wireless, you can now receive extra benefits — the EASY Wireless Unlimited Plan. The plan includes FREE unlimited data, talk, text and even a FREE smartphone if you meet specific conditions!
Interested in getting more information? Drop by one of the EASY Wireless’s retail stores and speak to our friendly customer agent, or simply get started by clicking the link below to start your seamless job searching journey:
See if you are eligible for FREE cell phone service, Click here!
EASY Rewards Program
Our loyalty extends beyond just a free phone. With EASY Rewards, consumers can earn rewards over time by simply sticking with us! Once you have accumulated enough rewards in your account, you can use them for more upgrades, such as getting the latest internet connected devices for FREE again.
30 days to get your 1st $10 reward
3 months for another $10 reward
6 months get a $25 reward
12 months a big $50 reward!
Refer-a-Friend for Extra Benefits
If you have homeless friends who are looking for free phones and service plans, don’t hesitate to refer EASY Wireless’ services to them. The refer-a-friend program gives you a $25 account credit for every person you bring into the EASY family, credits that can go towards additional data or phone upgrades.
Need More Than Just One Line of Service or an Additional Phone?
EASY Wireless is a leading provider and a full-service cellular store that cares about all of your communication needs. We have a wide range of pre-paid plans for every budget and usage requirement. Also, we offer a selection of brand-name phones that combine quality, reliability, and the latest technology.
That’s not all – we also provide an array of amazing accessories to enhance your mobile experience. At EASY Wireless, we’re dedicated to providing exceptional service and ensuring you find the perfect plan, phone, and accessories to suit your lifestyle and preferences.
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