Wanted: Everything in your Medicine Cabinet

The Twin Cities Salvation Army needs more hygiene products for people and families in need.    

“Lots more,” said Major Darryl Leedom, commander of the Twin Cities Salvation Army. “Right now our supplies are very low, yet demand is sky high.”

The Salvation Army uses donated soap, deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo and other items to make hygiene kits for people in need. In any given year, The Salvation Army can distribute about 100,000 of the kits. But lately, only about 8,800 kits have been available.

“We are humbly asking for people and businesses to get involved,” Leedom said.

Donating hygiene products is easy. Either buy the items or gather them from your home or business, then drop them off to any one of these Salvation Army locations (please call first).

Individuals, businesses, churches and other organizations can also help by starting a toiletry drive. Kathy Ayers (pictured) of UnitedHealth Group, for example, started a whopping drive that yielded a truckload of hygiene products from hotels, dental offices, and her fellow employees at metro area UnitedHealth Group facilities.

“The packets of toiletries were vital to our overnight shelter,” said Envoy Bill Miller, administrator of The Salvation Army Harbor Light Shelter in Minneapolis. “The men and women here were so happy to get such a great gift.”