Our Purpose
Simply the Basics is a U.S nationwide based health and hygiene nonprofit working to make hygiene equitable, accessible, and dignified for people experiencing homelessness and low income communities.
We operate the first large-scale Hygiene Bank in the United States, providing direct distribution of hygiene products while also supporting a national network of nonprofits and hygiene banks. Our Hygiene Bank ensures frontline organizations always have access to essential hygiene supplies, redistributes surplus items to reduce waste, and removes the dehumanization of handouts by prioritizing choice, dignity, and health.
Hygiene, Health, and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Simply the Basics is inspired by Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which recognizes that people cannot focus on long-term goals, such as employment, housing stability, sobriety, mental health, or self-actualization until their basic needs are met.
Hygiene is a foundational basic need and a public health intervention.
Without access to hygiene products, people face barriers to physical health, mental wellbeing, employment, and social participation.
Hygiene and public health are deeply interconnected. Lack of hygiene access contributes to:
Preventable illness and infection
Chronic disease complications
Reduced self-esteem and social isolation
Barriers to employment and housing stability
By providing consistent access to hygiene products, Simply the Basics helps build healthier individuals, stronger service programs, and more resilient communities.
What is Hygiene Insecurity?
Hygiene Insecurity impacts one in four people.
Hygiene Insecurity, also widely known as hygiene poverty, is a public health issue. It is defined as the lack of consistent access to everyday basic hygiene products, such as shampoo, toothpaste, soap, menstrual products, and household cleaning supplies.
One in four people experiences hygiene insecurity.
Nearly 25% of families struggle to afford essentials like food, housing, and healthcare—often called the “heat, eat, or health” dilemma.
When hygiene products become unaffordable, people are forced to make daily tradeoffs that negatively impact physical health, mental health, and dignity.
Hygiene insecurity is associated with increased risk of anxiety, depression, illness, and social exclusion.
Nearly 25% of families struggle to afford essentials like food, bills, housing, and healthcare, which is often called the “heat, eat, or health” dilemma. When hygiene products become unaffordable, people are forced to make daily tradeoffs that negatively impact physical health, mental health, and dignity.
Simply the Basics provides hygiene as preventative healthcare, recognizing hygiene access as essential to public health, dignity, and community stability.
Our Impact Goals
Simply the Basics exists to improve public health through hygiene access.
To improve and sustain the overall health and wellbeing of the low income community, people at risk of homelessness, and people experiencing homelessness. We aim to make hygiene more Accessible and Equitable for everyone.
To save nonprofits time and resources by managing, securing, and redistributing their in-kind and hygiene related needs, allowing them to focus their time on clients and their Mission.