In November, United Way of 1000 Lakes launched its tenth annual Health & Hygiene Drive. Previously held in June, the drive collects and distributes basic health and hygiene items and prepaid gas cards to help families meet their personal and household care needs. 

“With inflation making it more difficult for families to afford everyday items, and this being the time of year that energy costs go up for families heating their homes, we hope that providing some essentials to those who need them might relieve some cost burden,” says Kim Brink Smith, United Way’s Executive Director.  

Community members are invited to donate new, unused personal care items for infants, children, and adults, as well as household items like laundry detergent, disinfecting wipes, and hand soap at various drop-off locations. Supporters who want to get more involved can assemble and donate personal and household care packs, which will be distributed to families in need through the Itasca area’s nonprofit network. Individuals, groups, or companies can sign up at uwlakes.org/hygiene-drive and download an instructional toolkit. 

Ways you can help

• Donate personal care items at a community dropbox.

• Host a dropbox at your church, organization, civic group, or business. Collect much-needed care items throughout the month, and deliver items to United Way by December 9th.

• Pack personal care packs at home, or plan a packing party! Purchase items and place them in a Ziploc bag, laundry basket, or plastic tote. Sign up and find instructions at uwlakes.org/hygiene-drive.

• Text LAKES to 26989 and select “Health, Hygiene, and Basic Needs” to sponsor a virtual package. 

Learn more about the Health & Hygiene Drive and find out how else to get involved at uwlakes.org/hygiene-drive.