🚨 ACTION ALERT: Tell King County to Fund Hygiene Access for All!
Thousands of King County residents struggle to afford basic hygiene items — soap, toothpaste, laundry detergent, menstrual products — essentials most of us take for granted.
Good news: The King County Council is considering approval of the 2026–2027 King County Budget, which includes a $50,000 proviso to study hygiene poverty and develop real, data-driven solutions.
This is a crucial step forward in the fight against hygiene poverty in King County. The results will provide a foundation for sustainable recommendations in the next budget cycle — piloting a replicable model for equitable, community-driven hygiene access.
🗣️ Your Voice Can Make This Happen!
Tell the King County Council TODAY that you support keeping $50,000 in the 2026–2027 budget to study and address hygiene poverty.
Every message and testimony helps show that our community believes hygiene is a human right — and that King County must take action now.\
✳️ Two Easy Ways to Take Action
➡️ 1. Attend and Testify at the Budget Town Hall
Date: Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Time: 5:30–7:30 PM
Location: King County Council Chambers, 10th Floor, King County Courthouse, 516 Third Ave, Seattle
You can also attend remotely:
Phone: Call 1-253-215-8782 and enter the Webinar ID above
Watch Live: On KCTV — Comcast channels 22 & 322 (HD), Astound Broadband channels 22 & 711 (HD), or livestream here
If you do not wish to provide public comment, please use the Livestream or KCTV options to watch or listen.
➡️ 2. Email Your King County Councilmember
Find your Councilmember here: King County Councilmember Directory
Sample Message:
Dear Councilmember [Name],
I’m writing to express my strong support for the proposed $50,000 proviso in the 2026–2027 King County Budget to research hygiene poverty and develop recommendations to address it.
Hygiene is a human right, and every resident deserves access to basic hygiene essentials and the dignity they bring.
As a King County [resident/voter], I urge you to support this funding and help make our County a safer, healthier, and more equitable community for us all.
Thank you,
[Your Name]
[City or District]
You can also add any personal stories or thoughts about why access to hygiene products matters to you and your community.
📩 Questions?
Contact Irene Muller,
Essentials First Director of Advocacy and Outreach
📧 irene@essentialsfirst.org | ☎️ (206) 207-3438
💪 Thank You for Standing with Us
Together, we can make hygiene a human right for every person in King County.
We won’t stop until everyone in our community has access to hygiene essentials — and the dignity they empower.
