SPOKANE, Wash. — Nearly 3,000 pounds of donated hygiene products were delivered to Spokane Public Schools today, marking the end of this year’s Hope 4 Kids Hygiene Drive, which benefits hundreds of local kids and their families.
Organized by KXLY, nonprofit Project Beauty Share and Numerica Credit Union, the drive collected around half a million dollars-worth of deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste and other hygiene items that will be distributed to nine school districts serving 77,000 students from Medical Lake to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Spokane Public Schools employees quickly began sorting through the final boxes of donated items on Monday, selecting products for students who need them most. The supplies will be placed in school nurses’ offices, supply closets, food pantries and directly into the hands of students.
“Schools don’t have funding to purchase shampoo and conditioner. It’s one of those extra things that we have on hand, but it’s super important because being clean and coming to school looking great really helps boost that self-esteem for students,” said Sarah Miller of Spokane Public Schools.
The need for these basic items continues to grow in local schools. More than 1,000 students in Spokane Public Schools have been identified as experiencing housing instability this school year, with many more students from low-income families or facing home crises who will benefit from the hygiene items.
Julie Farley, founder of Project Beauty Share, said the drive addresses a critical need that affects students’ ability to attend school and participate fully in their education.
“Providing hygiene items for women and their families – it provides hope and dignity. It’s just an important thing in life to be able to have these items. If you don’t, if you’re not clean and you don’t have these items, you can’t go to work. You can’t go to school,” Farley said.
The drive collected 10,000 pounds of products total, with the 3,000 pounds delivered to Spokane Public Schools representing just one portion of the overall collection. The remaining items were distributed among the other eight participating school districts.
Most of the donated products are basic necessities that many people take for granted, but some include specialty items like higher-end shampoos that provide students with products they might not otherwise have access to.
KayCee Murray of Numerica Credit Union expressed amazement at the community response to the drive.
“It is shocking to see how many people came together to donate items, to see these six pallets that are here, and know that that’s just a small portion of what we gathered,” Murray said.
While this year’s drive has concluded, organizers recognize that the need for hygiene products in schools will continue throughout the year. Project Beauty Share hopes to continue the Hope 4 Kids Hygiene Drive annually to address the ongoing need for these essential items among students and their families.
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