JENNIFER EAGAN VISITED THEIR WAREHOUSE. WHILE THE SCHOOLS THAT WE PARTNER WITH HAVE A LOT OF HOMELESS STUDENTS. LISA VERGARA PICKS UP A VAN FULL OF SOAP, DEODORANT AND SHAMPOO THAT SHE’LL HELP PASS OUT TO FAMILIES IN NEED. THESE STUDENTS DON’T EVEN HAVE HYGIENE PRODUCTS. THEY TYPICALLY AREN’T GOING TO SCHOOL. THE NEEDHAM NONPROFIT HOPE AND COMFORT MARKED HYGIENE INSECURITY WEEK, CARRYING OUT THEIR SOLE MISSION DISTRIBUTING BOXES AND BOXES OF PRODUCT. THESE PRODUCTS ARE NOT COVERED BY SNAP OR SNAP IS WHAT WE USED TO CALL FOOD STAMPS. SO THERE’S NO SORT OF SAFETY NET FOR PEOPLE, FOR FAMILIES ESPECIALLY, WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO GET BY. HOPE AND COMFORT CEO SAYS AN ESTIMATED 2.3 MILLION PEOPLE IN MASSACHUSETTS STRUGGLE TO AFFORD THESE BASIC NECESSITIES. THAT’S WHY WE SAY IT’S THIS HIDDEN CRISIS. IT’S A LOT MORE THAN JUST A TUBE OF TOOTHPASTE OR A BAR OF SOAP. IT’S ABOUT KIDS GOING TO SCHOOL, PARENTS GOING ON JOB INTERVIEWS, AND PEOPLE BEING HEALTHY. IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, DEMAND HAS SKYROCKETED. 625 ORGANIZATIONS COME TO THEIR NEEDHAM LOCATION TO PICK UP HYGIENE PRODUCTS, THEN DISTRIBUTE THEM IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. BUT 355 ORGANIZATIONS ARE ON THE WAITING LIST. WHAT WE REALLY NEED ARE CASH DONATIONS IN ORDER TO BUY MORE PRODUCTS, TO HELP ALL THOSE ORGANIZATIONS, THOSE SCHOOLS, THOSE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE ON OUR WAITING LIST. HOPE AND COMFORT DISTRIBUTES 5 MILLION PRODUCTS IN MASSACHUSETTS EVERY YEAR, BUT THEY WOULD LIKE TO DO MORE. YOU CAN FIND A LINK TO THEIR WEBSITE ON OURS.COM.
Needham nonprofit tackles hygiene insecurity as demand soars
Updated: 5:09 PM EDT Oct 9, 2025
A nonprofit in Needham, Massachusetts, is working to distribute hygiene products to families who cannot afford them, as demand for these essential items continues to rise.”If these students don’t have hygiene products, they typically aren’t going to school,” said Hope and Comfort’s Lisa Vergara, who helps distribute the products.The nonprofit marked Hygiene Insecurity Week by distributing boxes of soap, deodorant, and shampoo, emphasizing their mission to address this hidden crisis. “These products are not covered by SNAP or WIC. SNAP is what we used to call food stamps, so there is no safety net for people, for families who are struggling to get by,” said Kerry Carter, CEO of Hope and Comfort.She further explained the impact of hygiene insecurity, saying, “It’s this hidden crisis. It’s about kids going to school, parents going on job interviews and being healthy.”In recent years, demand for hygiene products has surged, with 625 organizations visiting Hope and Comfort’s Needham location to collect items for distribution in their communities. However, 355 organizations remain on the waiting list.”What we really need are cash donations to be able to help those schools, veterans organizations, that are on our waiting list,” Carter said. Hope and Comfort distributes 5 million products every year.
A nonprofit in Needham, Massachusetts, is working to distribute hygiene products to families who cannot afford them, as demand for these essential items continues to rise.
“If these students don’t have hygiene products, they typically aren’t going to school,” said Hope and Comfort‘s Lisa Vergara, who helps distribute the products.
The nonprofit marked Hygiene Insecurity Week by distributing boxes of soap, deodorant, and shampoo, emphasizing their mission to address this hidden crisis.
“These products are not covered by SNAP or WIC. SNAP is what we used to call food stamps, so there is no safety net for people, for families who are struggling to get by,” said Kerry Carter, CEO of Hope and Comfort.
She further explained the impact of hygiene insecurity, saying, “It’s this hidden crisis. It’s about kids going to school, parents going on job interviews and being healthy.”
In recent years, demand for hygiene products has surged, with 625 organizations visiting Hope and Comfort‘s Needham location to collect items for distribution in their communities. However, 355 organizations remain on the waiting list.
“What we really need are cash donations to be able to help those schools, veterans organizations, that are on our waiting list,” Carter said.
Hope and Comfort distributes 5 million products every year.