This may come as a surprise, but the most requested items from our 300+ local partners isn't wheelchairs or canes or walkers. It's hygiene products!

People who receive SNAP benefits cannot purchase non-food items like cleaning and hygiene products with their cards, so the demand for these items is pretty constant. Some are going to nonprofits who are supporting  the needs in their neighborhoods, but recently most went to community back-to-school events, where they were put into backpacks given to students.

We are fortunate to have partners in this very important work like Sophie Jacob, a dedicated student from iSTEM School in Painesville and member of Nottingham Baptist Church. She organized a hygiene supply drive for MedWish Medworks, collecting 350 pounds of essential supplies. Many of those items were donated to the Garden Valley Relief Effort to support those impacted by the recent apartment explosion in Cleveland’s Kinsman neighborhood.

The supplies are then sorted by our partner skill building groups who provide vocational training to people with autism, physical impairments, and other special needs or barriers to employment. Just this summer our volunteers from United Cerebral Palsy, Lifeworks, and the Hope Network assembled nearly 1000 kits! This crew from UCP are building eight-item hygiene kits.

Do you want to make a difference in Cleveland and around the world? Host a hygiene drive with MedWish Medworks!

By collecting essential personal care items, your organization can directly support the health and dignity of individuals who often go without basic necessities.

What to collect:

• Menstrual hygiene products (pads, tampons, liners)
• Toothbrushes & toothpaste
• Shampoo & conditioner
• Soap or body wash
• Deodorant