Offering a fresh start in capital
Sometimes something as simple as donating a bar of soap can help people struggling with living costs.
Wellington blogger Lucy Revill became determined to tackle hygiene poverty after seeing products pile up from beauty companies sending her samples for her blog The Residents.
She wanted to do something with them and launched Soap For Society, a drive to bring in toiletry and hygiene donations for people in need. ‘‘It occurred to me that there was a gap in how I thought about donating to charity. I’d often donate clothes and food but rarely toiletries or shower gels.’’
She took inspiration from United Kingdom-based Beauty Banks – a non-profit organisation that takes in hygiene products and distributes them to charity.
From July 23 to 30, Revill is pushing the inaugural Soap for Society drive, asking people to bring in toiletry products or any beauty samples they have lying around – anything from razors and deodorant to treat items like lipstick. Goods can be dropped off at the Wellington City Mission in Newtown or to the mission store on the corner of Taranaki and Abel Smith streets.
Revill is working with Wellington City Mission and they hope to collect enough items for 1000 families as well as raising $1000 for the mission.
In putting together the campaign, Revill called in artist and graphic designer Maureen Placente. Placente donated her time to design posters for the drive and help with the website.
‘‘I used to have a friend in high school who . . . told me she couldn’t afford to buy deodorant so could she use mine.’’
Placente said her friend was often bullied for her apparent poor hygiene.
‘‘Sometimes you have to choose between education or food or paying for heat. So you might put it on the bottom of the list.’’
Wellington City Mission’s Olivia Lange said donated toiletries and sanitary products could mean a lot to recipients. ‘‘When people who are experiencing homelessness use our shower service, we’re able to provide them with products like soap and shampoo, and sanitary items for women. You can see how this restores a sense of dignity and helps them take pride in themselves again.’’