Opportunities From: HandsOn Twin Cities

We invite you to host a Hygiene Drive to collect personal care products and help ensure everyone in our community has access to daily essentials for a healthy life.

This is a great way to create a fun service project for your organization, business or community. Timing and goals are determined by you; however, needed products and criteria are listed below (note: you do not need to collect all but could focus on Oral or Body Care for instance). We will provide you with a toolkit on how to execute a successful drive.

All products can be dropped off at our warehouse or picked up by a Bridge to Basics' volunteer. These items are then added to the hygiene bank inventory and donated to local nonprofits serving hygiene insecure neighbors. 

Contact hello@bridgetobasics.org to request your toolkit. 

Needed Products*:

Bars of SoapBody Wash Conditioner Deodorant Diapers (all sizes)Hair Products for Coily, Curly, Textured HairIncontinence Care Items (adult) Laundry Detergent (prefer detergent sheets, but liquids & pods are welcome)Lotions (body, sunscreen, shaving)Menstruation Products (pads, tampons)RazorsShampoo Toilet PaperToothbrushesToothpaste

*Noting all products should be full-size, new, unopened, and not expired. Please remember that hygiene care is personal and endeavor to build a robust and diverse product inventory that is ethnically and culturally inclusive, as well as addresses health sensitivities.

Are you interested in creating a meaningful gift for families in your community who are struggling?

Build family hygiene care bags!

Did you know that more than half of food shelf shoppers struggle to afford personal hygiene products every month? This is because hygiene items are not covered by government assistance, have limited availability at food shelves (if at all) and are expensive. Let's help address this need buy filling bags for families.

We are looking for businesses, community groups and neighbors to buy full size personal hygiene products and fill grocery bags with them for neighbors struggling to afford hygiene items. These bags will be given to food shelves, schools, housing providers and refugee services organizations.

Please note: This is a remote opportunity that occurs at your preferred location. Your group will be responsible for the purchasing and assembling of the hygiene care bags. We can provide you with suggestions of items based on needs and pricing. We can pick up the bags or you may drop them off at our St. Paul location (280/94).

We ask that each grocery bag be filled with:

1 bottle of laundry detergent (free and clear/sensitive skin preferred)2 deodorants1 bottle of shampoo1 bottle of conditioner1 bottle of body wash2 bars of soap4 toothbrushes1 toothpaste2 razors1 bottle of shaving cream1 bottle of lotion4-pack of toilet paper

You can see the full list here 

Contact hello@bridgetobasics.org to get started!

Thank you for making sure families can start and end their days feeling clean and confident!

Are you interested in creating meaningful gifts for unhoused or housing insecure individuals in our community? Build hygiene kits!

Did you know that more than half of Open Cupboard’s (Minnesota’s largest food shelf) shoppers struggle to afford personal hygiene products each month? And did you know Minneapolis and St. Paul school districts have 5+% of their students who are experiencing housing insecurity? Additionally, health clinics are finding patients express a need for hygiene items during health screenings.

Let's help address this need by making hygiene kits for struggling individuals and families.

We are looking for businesses, community groups and neighbors to purchase travel/personal size hygiene products and build hygiene kits for students, individuals and families struggling to afford hygiene items. 

We ask that all kit items be placed in Ziploc bags and each kit be filled with:

1 full size deodorant1 travel size lotion (up to 3 oz)1 travel size bottle of shampoo (up to 3 oz)1 travel size bottle of conditioner (up to 3 oz)1 comb - preferably wider tooth1 toothbrush with head cover (preferred, but not required)1 toothpaste (up to 3 oz)1 travel size bottle of body wash (up to 3 oz) OR 1 bar of soap

Additional Items to include if possible:

1 package of dental floss1 lip balm1 razor1 small package of menstrual pads1 package of body wipes (no water needed)10 laundry detergent sheets

You can see the full list here 

Please contact us at hello@bridgetobasics.org to get your full toolkit and register your volunteer activity.  Thank you!!!

Please note: This is a remote opportunity that occurs at your preferred location. Your group will be responsible for the purchasing and assembling of the hygiene kits. We can provide you with suggestions of items based on needs and pricing. We can pick up the kits or you may drop them off at our St. Paul location (280/94).

We are looking for 2-4 individuals per shift to help us stock, organize, and prepare hygiene donations and purchases for distribution to our nonprofit partners serving communities in need. Activities vary depending upon date selected. Visit https://bridgetobasics.org/volunteer-with-us/ to learn more and explore current volunteer needs.

What will volunteers do?  

Unloading, sorting and packaging hygiene productsOrganizing items on shelves by type and conditionChecking expiration dates (where applicable)Supporting inventory counts and record-keepingKeeping the space clean and efficientReviewing order forms and Pulling requested itemsAssist with loading orders into partner vehiclesMust be able to lift 15-30 pounds

Hygiene insecurity affects thousands of individuals and families—impacting dignity, health, and opportunity. Many go without basic items like soap, shampoo, or period products simply because they can't afford them. Bridge to Basics is Minnesota’s first nonprofit dedicated to closing that gap. Thank you for your interest in supporting our mission.

We are looking for individuals, groups and organizations to fund & build specialized packs of select hygiene items to easily share with struggling neighbors. These items will be provided to school social workers, nurses, food shelves and more to distribute with dignity to the students, individuals and families they serve.

Specifically, we need the following:

Bright Smiles Bags: 1 full size toothpaste & 1 toothbrush placed in a ziploc bagFresh & Ready Kits: 25 deodorant items (full size) placed into a large ziploc bagHappy Bottoms Bags: 25 count of diapers packed into a bag (same size each pack)Period Packs: 20 tampons and/or 25 menstrual pads placed in large ziploc bag (uniform sizes packed together)Comfort & Confidence Kits: 25 bladder incontinence pads placed in a large ziploc bag

You choose the items you'd like to focus on, set a goal to build a certain number of packs, purchase enough products, and then start packing!

We appreciate your support to help our community members who are struggling to access these items.