Simply the Basics is disrupting the nonprofit space by launching the very first Hygiene Bank in the country. The purpose of our "Hygiene Bank" is to centralize and manage hygiene related donations and allocation for organizations in the homelessness and poverty sector. We remove the dehumanization of handouts, and empower our most underserved community members to have the dignity and benefits that come with good hygiene and choice.

Our Hygiene Bank works with our Partner Organizations to  collect and to provide regular hygiene deliveries specially tailored to their clients’ needs. We provide each non-profit with individualized Simply the Basics Tote Bags. Our tote bags are re-useable & sustainable, and include feminine hygiene, dental hygiene, soap, shampoo, towels, deodorant, combs, wipes, healthy snacks, bus passes, and sundries like makeup, perfumes, or cologne, that engender confidence and dignity. 

As compared with people who have homes, people experiencing homelessness are more likely to have dermatological problems, functional limitation, seizures, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, foot pain, and decayed teeth. Many of these ailments are preventable with access to proper hygiene. In a recent survey of the 2015 San Francisco Homeless Count, 67% of homeless reported one or more preventable health conditions, and 34% reported that their health condition made it difficult for them to keep a job or handle activities of daily living. The risk of death is increased eightfold in people who experience these conditions. To care more optimally for homeless people, we must pay attention to illnesses caused by lack of access to proper hygiene.