Project Renew: Building Resilience & Restoration

Years ago, I began collecting clothes, but my perspective shifted after a conversation with a friend who had survived domestic violence. She expressed that her most desired items were personal care products, such as shampoo and toothpaste, as these were often stolen due to a lack of secure storage. This conversation underscored the importance of feeling clean before deciding what to wear. Inspired, I began collecting trial-size toiletries from a friend who frequently traveled and gathered these items from hotels. By the end of the year, she had amassed hundreds of products for me. I sorted them by brand, purchased clear bags and ties from the dollar store, and created care packages for people experiencing homelessness. Initially, I distributed these packages on my twins' college campus, and in the following year, I expanded my efforts to include students in transitional housing. 

I spoke with the Director of Students in Transition at St. Louis Public Schools, who shared how schools started housing washing machines and dryers because some students would come to school with dirty clothes. They also have pantries with hygiene items.

Years later, a movie clip reminded me of an employee who worked for me. The young lady had been arrested for shoplifting deodorant. I recall the police driving her to work. Watch the clip below, which tells a similar story of a woman in need of items we often take for granted

The social stigma of hygiene poverty affects all areas of life—work, school, and relationships—impacting confidence, self-esteem, and prospects in those who are most vulnerable. For example, women may find themselves homebound due to a lack of period products, children may skip school due to a lack of clean uniforms or other school clothing, and people may miss out on employment or promotion opportunities due to poor hygiene. This lack of access to hygiene products has stark consequences; mothers may prioritize feeding their family over buying hygiene products, while teens and young adults may choose to go hungry to avoid the humiliation of showing up to school or work with poor hygiene.

The ability to purchase essential personal care items, such as period products, shampoo, toothpaste, and deodorant, is something most people take for granted. However, for many individuals on a low income, especially those who rely on food banks, these products have become unaffordable luxuries. Unforeseen events such as illness, disability, family breakdown, or job loss can leave people destitute, and these unplanned events can happen to anyone.

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