Throughout my life, I’ve volunteered for countless organizations, from Masjidullah’s Soup Kitchen, St. Jude’s, the YMCA, and the Community Food Bank of New Jersey. While I’ve loved every moment of making sandwiches for the community, creating inspirational cards for kids with cancer, conversing with senior citizens, and serving hot meals; I felt as though I could make an even more substantial impact in other areas that focus specifically on personal matters that also play a significant role in the lives of others physically and mentally.

I knew of many organizations that primarily donated food and clothes, but only a handful presented hygiene products. In addition, “The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) are federally funded health and nutrition programs. SNAP and WIC help low-income families and their children.” However, hygiene products are not included in either of those programs. That’s when I knew I needed to step in. I had the passion for filling a void: unspoken hygiene poverty crisis, specifically within marginalized and underserved communities.

It is concluded that research has shown that improved hygiene practices can lead to increased confidence rates, classroom engagement and class attendance; decreased insecurity rates, the transmission of viruses, bullying, depression, and other mental ailments. Considering this, my organization is working to address issues such as hygiene product accessibility, period poverty, and youth involvement that plague BIPOC communities. By increasing their access to hygiene products, underrepresented families have the prospect of developing better physical and mental health practices.