November 2022

The annual Health & Hygiene Drive is a safety net initiative of United Way of 1000 Lakes. The program helps families with everyday essentials like toothpaste, soap, and laundry detergent. Access to such items allows families to maintain good health and build self-esteem, stretch their wages to meet other needs - supporting their upward mobility.

What is the Health & Hygiene Drive?

United Way of 1000 Lakes’ annual Health & Hygiene Drive drive seeks to provide low-income families with necessities like shampoo, diapers, and cleaning supplies. Having access to such items helps individuals and households maintain good health and build self-esteem, and relieves families of some expenses, freeing up funds for meeting other needs and building long-term financial stability.

When you support the Health & Hygiene Drive by donating, hosting a dropbox, or making care packages, you’re helping meet the needs of people right here in the Northland.

How You Can Help

HOST A DRIVE

Churches, organizations, civic groups, or businesses can host a traditional drive where you collect physical supplies or a virtual drive where you collect monetary donations. Donations will be used to purchase supplies for the event. You must register your drive at volunteer.uwlakes.org. 

REGISTER

DONATE 

Individual items can be dropped off at community dropbox locations. You can also support the Health & Hygiene Drive by sponsoring a virtual care package. Text LAKES to 26989 or click the “DONATE NOW” button on the website and select “Health, Hygiene, and Basic Needs” from the drop-down menu.

DONATE NOW

MAKE CARE PACKAGES

One of the most effective ways you can support the Health & Hygiene Drive is by making personal and household care packages for local families! You’ll package basic necessities into care packages, which will then be distributed to families in need through the Itasca area’s nonprofit network. This can be done on your own or with a group such as your workplace, church, team, or classroom.

To get started, complete the signup form and indicate how many packages you’ll be assembling and where you’ll drop them off. Then, download the guide and start your project!

Download: Health & Hygiene Guide

SIGN UP

SHOP ONLINE

Don’t have time to hit the store or assemble care packages? Shop for items from one of our online wish lists to help out from home! Items can be shipped directly to United Way.

SHOP TARGETSHOP AMAZON

Health and hygiene items and assembled care packages can be dropped off at United Way during business hours (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.) or at a dropbox location in our service area.

Community dropbox locations include:

AmeriPrise Financial (350 NW 1st Ave, Suite C, Grand Rapids)

Children’s Discovery Museum (2727 US-169 S, Grand Rapids)

Compass North (1200 S Pokegama Ave Suite 160, Grand Rapids)

Deerwood Bank  (2950 Highway 169, Grand Rapids)

Itasca County Family YMCA (400 River Rd, Grand Rapids)

KOOTASCA (201 NW 4th St, Suite 130, Grand Rapids)

Northern Star Co-Op Convenience Center(105 Main Ave, Deer River)

Woodland Bank (Hill City) (675 Highway 169 S, Hill City)

Needed Items* Include:

Baby powder
Bar soap
Blankets (fleece or plush; twin or throw size)
Body wash
Brush/comb
Cleaning supplies
Conditioner
Deodorant
Diapers & baby wipes
Dish soap
Feminine hygiene products
Fingernail clippers
First aid supplies
Floss
Hand soap
Laundry Baskets
Laundry detergent
Lip balm
Lotion
Paper products (toilet paper, paper towels, tissues)
Plastic tubs & totes
Prepaid gas cards
Razors & shaving cream
Shampoo
Small mirrors
Small Totes
Sponges
Sun protection
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Washcloths, hand & bath towels

*Only new, unopened items will be accepted.

Health and Hygiene Media Center

Posters 11×17
Dropbox Signage 12 x18
Care Pack Project:  Instructions  |  Guide

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