Bridge to Basics

Did you know that 1 in 3 low-income neighbors experience hygiene poverty? And that daily essentials like soap, shampoo and laundry detergent cannot be purchased using SNAP, WIC or other government program dollars? With so few resources available for hygiene support, our neighbors are struggling to meet their basic needs and this affects their health, well-being and mental health.  

Bridge to Basics is a nonprofit that uniquely addresses hygiene poverty and supports our nonprofit community. Bridge to Basics exists to supply a network of local nonprofits - from schools to food shelves – with the hygiene products requested by neighbors in need. By providing hygiene products free of charge, our hygiene bank empowers nonprofits to focus on their core missions, ultimately amplifying their impact and meeting the essential personal care needs of the people they serve, promoting dignity and well-being.

Together, we are building a thriving community where neighbors have access to care, comfort and dignity. Learn how to help here.

Our Mission: We bridge the essential hygiene needs of individuals and families through partnerships, allowing nonprofits to amplify their impact and build a healthier, more empowered community.

Our Vision: Everyone should have access to daily essentials to show up for school, work and community life with care, comfort and dignity.  

Bridge to Basics is working to address hygiene insecurity as the only hygiene bank in the Twin Cities. We are a nonprofit that is uniquely focused on creating a supply chain of personal hygiene products and making them available to nonprofits in our community free of charge for distribution to those they serve.

We are propping up our nonprofit partners who are being asked and tasked to give their time and resources to meet these needs, but are clearly outside of their missions. Our nonprofit partners range from schools to food shelves, housing providers, health organizations and more They place monthly orders of daily essentials based on those neighbors in need that they serve and we supply that inventory. 

Our goal is to allow nonprofits to maximize their impacts by staying mission-focused and our neighbors to thrive by ensuring their physical and emotional dignity.