CHENANGO COUNTY — The Chenango United Way has been in the business of assisting community members who have fallen on hard times for years though fund allocations, promotion of health and income initiatives.
Keeping tabs on the issue of hunger insecurities for those less-than-fortunate that call Chenango County home is something that weighs heavy on Director Elizabeth Monaco’s mind, but with the lack of food for many in the area also comes a lack of other basic necessities that most use everyday.
“Hygiene products are something that many working individuals take for granted, and they're just as necessary as food for those who can't afford them,” said Monaco.
As food pantries that serve the county are fortunate enough to receive food and nutrition donations on a very regular basis, those pantries aren't as likely to be stocked with health essentials or toiletries such as deodorant, toothpaste, body wash and shampoo.
“There's a substantial need for the most basic hygiene products, people rarely think about it until they don't have them,” said Victoria Mitchell who, with Monaco and a board comprised of 16 community volunteers have been organizing an annual “Hygiene Drive” for the past three years.
“It started out with Elizabeth and I scrambling to find personal hygiene items for a community member that walked into the office off the street,” said Mitchel who serves as an office administrator for the United Way. “That’s how it dawned on us that there was yet another unmet need in the community which led to the planning of a Hygiene Drive.”
“It's pretty simple,” said Monaco. “The United Way consistently strives to better the community though increased education an addressing unmet needs like hunger and basic healthcare to ensure that everyone in the community is self-sufficient and employable. But if the people in the community that we serve can't clean themselves up to interview or go to work simply because they can't afford shampoo; that's a real problem with a simple solution.”
Simple indeed. The CUW's Annual Hygiene Drive is nothing more than barrels placed at drop-off points around the county with a goal to “Fill the Barrels” with as many personal hygiene products as possible throughout the month of May. Barrels will be picked up on June 1 and brought to Howard Johnson's Ballroom for sorting by the Norwich High School Cheerleaders prior to distribution to local food banks and resource centers all throughout Chenango County.
“Personal product items are just as important as food and they are first to go when it comes to keeping the shelves stocked at our areas food banks and resource centers,” said Mitchell.
Items that can be dropped off include shampoo and conditioner, bar soap and body wash, toothpaste, toothbrushes, toilet paper, feminine products, diapers and baby wipes as well as baby shampoo.
Barrels can be found at all three NBT Bank locations in Norwich, Guernsey Memorial Library and the Chenango United Way Office at the Mitchell and Cortland intersection in Norwich.
For more information, call the Chenango United Way at 334-8815.