Give the gift of dignity
Your gift today makes a direct, life-changing impact for the 28% of Washingtonians who cannot afford basic hygiene supplies.
When families lack essentials like soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, laundry detergent, and period products, everything becomes harder — staying healthy, keeping a job, succeeding in school, staying housed, and feeling confident in community.
More than 1 in 4 households across our state are facing this barrier right now.
Today, you can help change that.
Essentials First is Washington’s only nonprofit primarily focused on hygiene access, putting us on the front lines statewide.
Thanks to supporters like you in 2025 we:
Provided full-month Essential Hygiene Kits to local families through our walk-in locations in Bellevue, Kent, and Redmond 7,430 times
Hosted outreach tables at 50+ community events throughout King County
Met with more than 100 elected officials and community leaders to close hygiene gaps in human services
Partnered with UW Evans School policy consultants to develop 3 major policy solutions to hygiene poverty
Successfully advocated alongside King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci to include $50,000 in the 2026–27 King County Budget to study and develop recommendations to address hygiene poverty
Served 500+ hot meals
Distributed 100,000+ pounds of culturally appropriate food boxes in partnership with the MAPS Muslim Community Resource Center
Launched and expanded our Hygiene Champions youth leadership programs, empowering 40+ local youth and raising $75,000 for families in need
And in 2026, with your support we will:
Provide hygiene essentials to 10,000+ households
Partner with WA State Legislators to introduce two bills reducing the cost of hygiene essentials statewide and in correctional facilities
Strengthen youth programming through new community partnerships
Host our first-ever Essentials First Day of Action in Olympia on 1/26
Support 500 families during Ramadan with culturally appropriate food boxes and hygiene kits
Expand our Essential Skills sewing curriculum and increase class capacity
…and so much more.
Join the Fight Against Hygiene Poverty
Every inbox is full of donation requests this time of year -
but here’s what makes Essentials First different:
Every single dollar you donate puts hygiene essentials directly into the hands of neighbors who need them.
No barriers. No wasted impact. Just dignity empowered.
$35/month = consistent hygiene access for a family of 2–4
$420 = hygiene supplies for a full year
Any amount = immediate dignity for a Washington family
However you choose to give, thank you for taking the time to learn about the urgent and often invisible work being done to ensure hygiene access for all.