United Way HPE Launches Hygiene Product Drive: May 20 – June 6

Belleville, ON – United Way Hastings & Prince Edward is launching a targeted Hygiene Product Drive from May 20 to June 6, to help restock urgently needed items for nine local food banks and service organizations.

Running for its second year, this effort responds to a shared concern from frontline organizations about the lack of basic hygiene products – ones that are in high demand but rarely donated.

“When multiple organizations highlight the same pressing issue, we know it’s time to take action,” says Kaitlyn Lalonde, Director of Community Impact at United Way HPE. “With the rising cost of living, more people are being forced to make impossible choices – between buying groceries, paying rent, or purchasing basic hygiene products.”

Hygiene products like toothpaste, tampons, men’s deodorant, and body wash are among the most requested items at food banks but are often overlooked in donations. These essentials are expensive, and many families and individuals struggling with poverty turn to community agencies for help. Feed Ontario’s 2024 Hunger Report. Between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024, over 1 million people accessed food banks in Ontario, marking a 25% increase over the previous year and an 86% increase since 2019–2020.

“We’ve identified four top-priority items for this campaign,” Lalonde explains. “Of course, all hygiene-related donations are welcome, but these four make the biggest difference right now.”

United Way HPE invites local residents, businesses, and community groups to participate by donating products or organizing collection efforts in their workplaces or networks.

In support of:
Gleaner’s Food Bank, Care & Share Food Bank, Helping Hands Food Bank, Salvation Army, John Howard Society, Storehouse Food Bank, Central Hastings Support Network, North Hastings Community Cupboard and Ontario Addictions Treatment Centre.

Drop-off location:
United Way HPE, 55 Harriett Street, Belleville, Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM