People of all ages and abilities have the opportunity to participate in a volunteer effort to provide critically needed basic hygiene items to vulnerable neighbors in the Pittsburgh region.
Personal hygiene represents a foundational component of health, according to a Global Links news release, but personal care items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, soap, shampoo, deodorant and lotion are typically not covered by federal assistance programs (food stamps). That often means that low-income families, seniors and others often go without. In response, Global Links, a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit dedicated to improving health in communities with need, has set a goal of assembling and distributing 8,000 kits this year to its community partners in Western Pennsylvania. Those include human service agencies, food pantries, and other nonprofits in the region.
Global Links has made it easy for individuals and groups to help by providing complete instructions for assembling care kits, which contain full-size products not covered under SNAP and other government assistance programs. The assembled kits can be dropped off at Global Links’ headquarters in Green Tree.
Instructions for purchasing items, packing and dropping off kits can be found at globallinks.org.
“Our Personal Care Kit Project provides dignity, health and hygiene to local neighbors who are undergoing financial hardship,” Global Links Executive Director Angela Garcia said in the news release. “Building the kits is a great way to involve children of all ages in the practice of being a helper, as children can easily participate in the process of shopping for, sorting and packing the items. We encourage families, community, faith and corporate groups, and anyone looking to help their neighbors to participate.”
To learn more, visit www.globallinks.org or email glvolunteer@globallinks.org or info@globallinks.org.
The PUP is the publication of the striking workers at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
