High Ridge Brands to make second donation to Family-to-Family nonprofit
HASTINGS-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. — Family-to-Family Inc. a non-profit poverty relief organization, announced today that High Ridge Brands — maker of Zest, VO5, White Rain, Coast and Rave — will make a second donation of soap, shampoo, conditioner and body wash products to 20 organizations identified by Family-to-Family's Shower To The People Program. These organizations serve impoverished American families.
This brings the total number of communities reached by Family-to-Family's Shower To The People program to 39, covering 36 states and the District of Columbia. The program provides ongoing personal care products to families in need.
Family-to-Family is working with select Boys & Girls Clubs, public schools, social service agencies and food pantries to distribute the products. This donation will bring the total number of donated personal care items by High Ridge Brands in the last eight months to more than 3 million showers-worth of products.
"High Ridge Brands is dedicated to helping families in need across the country. We take pride in having the opportunity to provide those less fortunate with a fresh start in the morning," said James Daniels, CEO of High Ridge Brands. "High Ridge Brands is proud to support Family-to-Family for the second year in a row. Their 'Shower To The People' program has the ability to reach our country's poorest neighborhoods, and helps provide these families with the most essential and high quality hygiene products."
A 2013 study by Feeding America found that of those surveyed who were unable to afford basic household goods, 55% reported skipping shampoos and 33% reported bathing without soap as a means to save money. In addition, 40% of that study's low income respondents reported skipping or delaying their rent payment in the past year in order to afford non-food household essentials.
"It's hard to believe that the most basic personal care items — soap, shampoo, deodorant, toilet paper — are considered luxury items for families living on the edge," said Pam Koner, founder of Family-to-Family. "I've heard of families in need taking liquid soap home from fast-food restaurant bathrooms, teen-aged girls skipping school because they don't have feminine hygiene products, families using dish detergent as shampoo, children being bullied at school for being unclean, and most shockingly, of families going without toilet paper."