More Than Just Food - Providing Essential Household Supplies

If you've ever worked in a food pantry, you've likely experienced a quiet request, someone pulling you aside to ask if you happen to have any laundry detergent, deodorant, or bath soap. All too often, the answer is a heartbreaking "no." The need far outweighs the available supply.

From the very beginning, we knew our support for our medically vulnerable and disabled neighbors facing food insecurity had to go beyond just groceries. We understood that a full life requires more than just food on the table.

Think back to the early days of the pandemic. Disinfectant was a vital necessity, and we were there to provide it. We also distributed face masks, recognizing the immediate need for protection. As one of our neighbors wisely shared, "If you're struggling to feed yourself, you might let some of the other household essentials go a little bit, like cleaning products." That resonated deeply with us.

That's why every first delivery includes a special welcome bag filled with basic household necessities: toilet paper, paper towels, garbage bags, freezer bags, all-purpose cleaner, laundry detergent, dish soap, hand soap, and reusable cleaning cloths in a large reusable shopping bag.

These welcome bags hold an estimated $50-$75 worth of supplies – larger quantities and bigger sizes to give our neighbors a real head start. By providing these essentials, we aim to ease the burden on tight budgets. The $25 typically allocated for household supplies can then be used for groceries, offering greater flexibility and choice. In addition to these standard household items, we also provide feminine hygiene and incontinence supplies to those who need them as part of their regular monthly deliveries, recognizing these crucial needs extend beyond the standard household budget.

We believe that being able to care for yourself and your home is an integral part of living a healthy life with dignity. We're proud to offer this vital support to our community.