WHO WE ARE
Our purpose is to provide young people with essential hygiene products and information to maintain cleanliness. We are a collective impact group made up of diverse community members. We are passionate about eliminating stigmas and alleviating many of the barriers that keep young people from fully participating in school or in the community due to hygiene poverty.
WHAT IS HYGIENE POVERTY
Hygiene poverty is not being able to afford many of the everyday hygiene and personal care items that most of us take for granted. It negatively impacts school attendance, can erode a child’s self-esteem and create health risks. According to a survey of more than 100 educators conducted by Provision Promise, 34% of teachers believed students skipped school due to hygiene issues. For some children that could mean not washing their hair, having to share a toothbrush, not having menstrual products, or having to wear dirty clothing because there isn’t enough money to purchase the personal care items that they need.
*More Information on Hygiene Poverty:
America’s Unspoken Hygiene Crisis
Period Poverty: A Neglected Public Health Issue
Social Determinants of Health, the Family, and Children’s Personal Hygiene
MOST NEEDED HYGIENE PRODUCTS
We collect new, unused, in-date personal care and hygiene products for both genders. We also collect unscented products to prevent allergic reactions for people with sensitive skin. Full-size items are desired.
Most requested items include:
- Deodorant (stick, gel, cream or spray)
- Shower gel/bath wash/bar soap
- Hair shampoo/conditioner
- Comb/brush/hair picks/hair accessories/shower caps
- Toothbrushes (children and adult)/toothpaste/mouthwash/dental floss
- Wash clothes/bath towels/loofah/bath sponge
- Lip balm/ointment
- Toilet paper
- Sanitary pads/pantyliners/tampons/menstrual cups
- Cleansing wipes/baby wipes
- Disposable underwear
- Cornstarch/Talcum powder
- Body lotion/creams/Vaseline/skin protectant
- Foot powders/spray
- Facial cleansers/pads
- Eye glass wipes
- Q-Tips/cotton balls/bandaids/nail clippers
- Disposable razors, depilatory cream/shaving cream
- Hand sanitizer
* Other welcomed items: cotton underwear (all sizes), socks, gloves, hats and sunscreen
Drop Off Your Donations
Hygiene products can be delivered to:
House of Grace
416 2nd Ave SW, Great Falls, MT 59404
Days: Tuesday and Thursday
Times: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
For more information, email donlewsfoundationinc@gmail.com
DonLew's News & Events
Visit our News and Events Page for details about our upcoming donation drives and recent toiletry distributions.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Organize a Drive
DonLew's collects and distributes hygiene education and toiletries to youth and youth-serving organizations. Hosting a toiletry drive helps provide essential items that are often financially out of reach of disadvantaged families. If your school, church, business or organization would like to host a toiletry drive, email the DonLew's Foundation at donlewsfoundationinc@gmail
Volunteer
At various times of the year, DonLew's invites volunteers to help organize and package hygiene products and health information for distribution. If you are interested in volunteer opportunities with the DonLew's Foundation, email donlewsfoundationinc@gmail.
Support Our Work
When you make a monetary donation to DonLew's Foundation you not only help one organization, but you support the work of many groups in our community who seek to alleviate hygiene poverty. You can donate via credit card, PayPal or by check.
Mail your check to:
DonLew's Foundation
P.O. Box 7051
Great Falls, Montana