Community Kits
Community Kits Program
Our volunteer-powered Community Kits program offers two types of kits, Essential Hygiene Kits and Street Kits. These kits are available at no cost to community members at three Essentials First drop-in locations in Bellevue, Redmond, and Kent, as well as community events and partner organizations throughout the Puget Sound Region.
Essential Hygiene Kit contents may vary depending on availability.
Street Kits are adjusted seasonally to include weather-related items. For example: in the winter we include gloves, socks, and hand warmers. In the summer, we include electrolytes and sunscreen. Due to regional weather, rain ponchos and emergency blankets are included year round. Blankets and sleeping bags are offered alongside these kits year-round when possible.
Help make it happen!
Anyone interested in volunteering or hosting a kit packing event is invited to please fill out this form; our volunteer coordination team will review your request and follow up.
If you’d like to help supply these kits, you can make a donation online here and select “Community Kits”, or contact Marryam at marryamali@essentialsfirst.org to coordinate a donation of supplies.
Types of Kits
Essential Hygiene Kit
These kits include 10 full-size household and personal hygiene items. Base kit is designed to meet the needs of a household of 1-3 people for 1 month; kits are customized at pick-up to serve the needs of larger families.
Contents may include:
Shampoo & conditioner
Bar soap
Menstrual hygiene products
Toothpaste & toothbrush
Shaving supplies
Deodorant
Wipes
Laundry Detergent
Dishwashing Liquid
Hand sanitizer
Street Kit
These smaller kits contain mostly travel-size items and are designed to meet the immediate hygiene needs of one person living outside.
Contents may include:
Lip Balm
Hand sanitizer
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Tissues
Bar soap
Mouthwash
Granola bar
Rain Poncho
Emergency Blanket
Snack Pack
These kits are made up of always ready-to-eat, shelf-stable, staple and snack foods, sharing essential nutrition in a low-barrier way. Snack Packs contain some version of the following, with exact inclusions varying based on availability.
Protein (example: pouch of lentils)
Starch (example: pre-cooked rice cup)
Vegetable
Fruit
Snacks
Seasonal nutritional supplies (example: electrolyte supplements in the warmer months)
Bottled water