Host a Simply the Basics Salon: Bring Friends Together for Community Impact

Looking for a meaningful way to connect with friends while making a difference? Simply the Basics invites you to host a “Salon”—an intimate, in-person gathering where our team shares insights on hygiene insecurity, community impact, and ways to take action locally.

What is a “Salon”?

A Salon is a small, thoughtful gathering designed to foster conversation and connection. Similar to a book club, dinner party, or happy hour, a Salon encourages discussion, learning, and engagement. These events are interactive and guided by our experts, creating space for your guests to ask questions and explore ways to make a difference.

Originating in 16th-century Italy and popularized by 17th-century French women, these intellectually stimulating, often low-stress gatherings serve as a venue for sharing ideas and fostering community. Today, these gatherings are often revived to facilitate deeper, in-person"analog-style" connections, sometimes featuring expert guests for fireside chat-style discussions.

Why Host A Salon?

The world can feel overwhelming, and sometimes it’s easy to feel helpless, but we are not! Simply the Basics provides a unique opportunity to:

• Hear impactful stories of people and communities making change

• Learn more about hygiene insecurity and its local effects

• Explore ways to take meaningful action in your own neighborhood

• Engage with an expert in social services and nonprofit work

• Ask questions in a safe, judgement free space about homelessness

• … and more! We will create a conversation around your goals and interests

How it Works

Hosting is simple! You provide the venue (your home or another location), Guests (friends, colleagues, neighbors, community group, etc), and optional food or drinks (dinner, coffee/tea, happy hour snacks, wine…).

And we provide: A presentation and engaging conversation! Optional hands-on activities such as packing hygiene kits

Examples of gatherings:

• Dinner party or cocktail hour

• Coffee or tea gathering

• Book club or discussion group

• Hands-on menstrual kit assembly

Details & Guidelines

• There is no maximum attendees, but we ask for a minimum 6 in-person attendees

• Currently only in California for in-person salons (virtual options available!)

• No cost to host

Hosting a Simply the Basics Salon is more than an event, it’s an opportunity to bring people together, spark meaningful conversation, and inspire action in your community.