Giving the Basics is such a wonderful organization, and it fills a great need for the clients that Thrive Health Connection serves. Thrive Health maintains a Giving the Basics Pantry, and those supplies help many Thrive Health clients. They are able to get the supplies they need while maintaining their independence and their dignity.
Phoenix Family is so grateful for our work with Giving the Basics and so thankful for their part in alleviating the stress and anxiety of our residents during this difficult time and ensuring they can live with dignity.
Giving the Basics has provided difficult to obtain items such as toilet paper, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, etc. We also appreciate their incredible organization and efficiency. Pick up is and we can quickly distribute the items because everything is clearly and accurately labelled. This saves our staff precious time during this pandemic.
A couple observations from our staff:
“During this time of the unknown we have been blessed to be able to give our residents the basic needs. It has been overwhelming to see how people get excited for toilet paper and paper towels right now. The young ladies also come here for their personal needs because mom cannot buy them right now. I want to thank all the workers at Giving the Basics for all they do for my residents. I love seeing them smile with tears in their eyes because there are no words to express their gratitude.”
“Our residents send a huge ‘Thank You’ for your extreme generosity during this difficult time. Many of my residents suffer from medical issues and are at very high risk and during this time they are isolated in their homes, unable to obtain some of the basics that they need to stay healthy. Our residents were so grateful to get toilet paper, paper towels, facial tissue, soap, and other items delivered directly to their door. Your donations are blessing to so many”
The well-being of our residents has been enhanced due to Giving the Basics' hard work and generosity.
Footprints: Heroes Home Gate is a non-profit that provides transitional housing services to homeless Veterans. Giving the Basics has allowed our organization to provide a pantry of basic necessities to our clients. This is a vital service to our clients, and without Giving the Basics would be a massive expense for us. We are greatly appreciative of the service provided by Giving the Basics and look forward to partnering with them for a long time.
St. Paul’s Episcopal, KCMO Food Pantry loves their partnership with Giving the Basics. During the lockdown we have had to redesign our pantry operations, but our clients are still needing the hygiene products that we get from GTB every month. We are so grateful that GTB has continued to operate and that we have been able to continue to serve our clients. Great people, great operation, great partnership!!
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Due to the spread of Covid-19 in the Metropolitan Area, Cross-Lines Community Outreach has established procedures designed to keep our clients and staff safe. Consequently, all client/staff interactions are incredibly limited in both scope and time.
Over the past few month Cross-Lines staff has had little opportunity to hear comments and stories from our clients. However, some staff has shared the following comments:
"Thanks to the donations that giving the basics provides to us at the pantry we are able to ensure that every client that walks in receives a hygiene toiletry bag. A lot of people appreciate this, especially right now when supermarkets can expose them to the virus. Mothers always appreciate the diapers and are usually happy and relieved to receive them. Big families are fans of the laundry detergent because of how expensive it is. Older folks really like the toiletry bags because of it having all the necessities in them, unsheltered folks also always request them. We always try to make sure they leave with at least some soap and tissues because we understand their lack of access to these items outside of Crosslines.
Sometimes clients walk in hoping to receive a certain item and are surprised we give that item and even more. With the feminine hygiene products for example, usually clients are surprised they can get pads as well as a household item and the toiletry bags. Lot of clients request specifically toilet paper and are really happy to get the big rolls.
We are very thankful for the donations that Giving the Basics provides and can guarantee that our clients feel the same way."
'I talked with a client yesterday who is currently experiencing homelessness. She reported she wouldn’t know what she would do without these toiletry items.'
Giving the Basics has been a Godsend to our clients at Don Bosco! Most of the people we serve live on a very low income and often can't afford hygiene products or household cleaning/laundry supplies. Their monthly donation of these types of products are really appreciated by our senior citizens and our refugee & immigrant families whose dignity is maintained because of their efforts. I'm grateful for our partnership!!
Giving The Basics, remained open and ready to serve our neighbors in need while many other agencies closed during the months of March and April. As we faced our new reality of social distancing and shortages of hygiene items such as toilet paper and sanitizer, GTB and their volunteers were there.
Due to their tireless efforts and dedication in the effort of embracing human dignity, we at Seton Center were able to provide 3,678 of our neighbors with hygiene items including toilet paper and sanitizer in the months of March and April.
Gerald Palmer
Our clients are elderly & home bound. This added service of incontinence products to our Meals on Wheels program is much needed and our clients are so very grateful for the service!
Definitely fills a need for the Kansas City area - while we have multiple sources for food, there are limited sources for cleaning and hygiene products which are also much needed items (especially since people can't buy these with their SNAP/food stamp funds). Online ordering makes it easy to requests items. The downside is that they only have what they have when they have it, so you can't always order the items you need most and you don't know what you're going to get until you pick up your monthly order. Still, whatever arrives is in great condition, packed well, and is a much needed help to stock our pantry with the items our families most need and want. Grateful for this partnership!
Giving the Basics provides a crucial service for the people we work with at Connections to Success as they transition from unemployment and underemployment to living-wage careers. Each month we’re able to pick up personal hygiene and household essentials for our participants who need them. Having access to hygiene and self-care items brings dignity and boosts confidence, which is especially important for our participants as they go on interviews and begin new jobs. We’re thankful to partner with Giving the Basics, and we value their work to support the health, dignity and self-esteem of community members!
Welcome Center staff have had families come in who are struggling financially and will tell staff they have nothing at home for their family to use for bathing/hygiene. A lot of times our staff will be able to tell by looking at them that they haven't washed their hair or the kids might be dirty etc. Clients are always so grateful for the items we provide and we have got so much feedback about the electronic toothbrushes! This one gentleman who was probably in his 30's and looking for a job said he has never had one but always wanted one.
Giving the Basics has been an incredible blessing to the students at our high school. A majority of our students are on free and reduced lunch. When they are able to come into the nursing office to pick out the type of supplies that they can use (kudos to GTB for supplying products that serve ALL skin and hair types), the smiles on their faces says it all! They are very cautious to take only what they need and are concerned that there is enough for the others as well. As you know, this is so important to a teenager especially. it gives them confidence and peace of mind. Thank you again for all that you do! Sincerely, M.Becker School Nurse
Giving The Basics makes it possible for older adults in need of self care supplies to receive these extremely expensive items that otherwise are not provided by insurance or most medical programs. We have stories of seniors cancelling medical appointments because they cannot afford self care supplies and without these, they are not willing to see their doctor in a state of uncleanliness. Giving The Basics not only provides needed supplies, but through their donations they promote self-worth and a sense of pride to the older adult who can go out in the community knowing their self care needs are met. Giving The Basics is a true hero in the battle against expensive self care products for so many older adults living on limited incomes. WE SALUTE GIVING THE BASICS FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING WORK!
This agency fills a void that existed for decades for families. For far too long, families have struggled with either/or choices regarding necessities (food OR toilet paper, gas for the car OR feminine hygiene supplies, etc.) Choices no family should have to make. I've been in the social work field for 20 years, and Giving the Basics helps so many families stop making those sacrifices any longer. It fills the gap the government assistance cannot, and by providing pantries all throughout the city in unpretentious locations, it allows families to discretely meet their needs without compromising their pride. Thank you, Giving the Basics.
Community Assistance Council appreciates GIving the Basics. They work very hard to ensure that our low-income clients can have access to the hygiene and cleaning products that they need and want. Giving the Basics is an essential partner to non-profit agencies such as Community Assistance Council by providing a wide selection of products to distribute to clients free-of-charge. Thank you, Giving the Basics!
Julie Reid
I brought the kids I nanny for to do community service with their school. It was organized and run so well that we were able to accomplish a lot while we were there. The kids had a good time! Looking forward to volunteering more in the future!
I came to know Giving the Basics years ago when I was running a local pantry. Hygiene products were in short supply, but very much needed. The supplies they donated were invaluable to my clients. Now I have the privilege of volunteering at Giving the Basics. This is a great organization supporting the people of KC.
I am amazed by the amount of people this charity helps and the fact that a single person saw a need and figured out a way to helped. No one should be without basic human dignity products.
It is amazing to me how Giving the Basics fills such an important need. If you are in a homeless shelter, it’s basically impossible to get out and get a job if you can’t get clean. Giving the Basics provides the things that people need to have good hygiene, stay well, and hopefully get a job.
Tremendous give back attitude ❤️‼️Please contact them to get engaged with a spirt of giving,helping and making a difference.
Fills a significant need in our community. Can you take a shower with shampoo or use toilet paper when you go to the bathroom? Imagine if you couldn’t and then go donate to giving the basics
Awesome charity that supplies basic necessities to people who would otherwise go without! It is well run and organized, with friendly people.
Giving the Basics provides the essentials people need. They touch thousands of lives daily. Amazing work and amazing hearts!!! Everyone I know loves volunteering there!
Filling the much needed void of providing basic human products to those who need it! And I love that the products are directly serving those in the KC area.
This is a well run, extremely impactful charity and I am proud to be on the board and help steer this charity to success.
We have volunteered with GTB several times. Not only do we love what they do for our community but the staff have perfected the art of group volunteer projects. They have their processes down pat, are always quick to help or answer questions, and best of all they make it fun! We will continue to support this fabulous local charity and hope to continue to see it grow and make an impact in our community for those who cannot afford the basic necessities in life.
Giving The Basics helps City Union Mission every month meet the hygiene needs of clients in our shelters. The staff and volunteers with this organization are very helpful and caring. They are such a blessing to City Union Mission and others!
Professionally run organization which does so much, common sense good, for the needy in our community.
This organization is fantastic and built on the integrity of those who are really in need for the basic necessities many of us take for granted. This non profit brilliant organization has touched and inspired thousands on both sides of the fence.
I volunteer regularly to fill the carts with supplies that go out to the service agencies that work in the Kansas City metro area. Giving the Basics is an excellent organization, true to its mission statement, 100% legit. We welcome more volunteers, our time is well spent.
Giving the Basics ensures that recipients of hygiene items experience dignity. Something as mundane as a toothbrush or stick of deodorant can help a person feel confident. This agency has been life changing for men, women, girls and boys in its ever growing service area. The outreach to schools is my favorite part. A student told me that these items helped her whole family, and that they were doing better. It is amazing to think that this need was unmet before - Giving the Basics enriches our community!
I have volunteered at Giving The Basics and trust me, these people are dedicated! They have such a commitment to provide those in need with the basic necessities for everyday life; things we all take for granted. I applaud their dedication to serve others! So many people have and will be served by this wonderful organization.
A wonderful organization giving those in need what they need to look and feel good about themselves. Everyone wants cleanliness. . There are so many in need of the items they provide. I love what this organization provides as well as what it allows volunteers to provide to our community.
“Try going 3 days without any personal hygiene products.” That includes shampoo, toilet paper, and deodorant. This is the challenge that Teresa (the founder of giving the basics) presented to me and it is what first caught my attention. Just think about doing it for 3 days and when you realize that there are hundreds of people that do it constantly without a choice, you’ll realize how important this charity is.
Giving the Basics does so much for our community. They work daily to promote the dignity of each person they serve. They also regularly educate our area school and businesses on the needs of those who are on government assistance. It's eye opening for most to learn that those who are on assistance programs are not able to purchase basic care itemss which leads to low self esteem and many school days missed. I have volunteered for them numerous times and I'm always impressed at not only how organized they are but also how compassionate and loyal they are to the local shelters and other service organizations
Such a wonderful and well run organizaton. They provide so much to so many in our community. A truly caring group of people !
Not only does this nonprofit fill an unmet need, they have successful educated the public about the urgent need for hygiene items among those who live life in the margins of society as the the struggling poor and homeless. Giving the Basics is a source of dignity among the poor of our metropolitan area, providing basic needs not met by government agencies and programs. They have not only taken their message into the corporations, but they have educated school children about how it feels to need the basics that many take for granted. We are a better community because of their vision and their message.
As a former teacher, Giving the Basics identied the need for human dignity products to our students. GTB changed the course of many young lives treating them to and with dignity. Thank you GTB, for your pragmatic and respectful outlook for our future.
Did you know that items like deodorant, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and toilet paper are NOT covered by EBT (food stamps)? Well neither did I until I volunteered with Giving the Basics as part of a service project through my employer. The work they do here is vitally important to so many families who are just trying to get by. They have a very smart and driven leadership team. Typical volunteer work involves taking product donations and then sorting and counting them for future distribution.
This organization is incredible! When I heard about them I thought "Cool, I'll volunteer a few hours with them." When I got there and heard the touching story about how it was founded and the incredible difference they make in the lives of so many people in an area that is excluded by public assistance and food banks - personal hygiene products - I was blown away and invested. I suggested that the company that I work for adopt them as one of the collection drives that they do each year to assist and give back to our Kansas City community. In 2016 DST Systems had one of the largest collections drives for Giving The Basics in their history up to that point. We are in the middle of our 2nd collection drive for them currently. This is an organization that runs on almost 100% donations in every area. Above are some photos of a small group of DST employees sorting the huge amount of donated items in their warehouse in 2016 (902 toothbrushes, 850 shampoo & conditioner, 670 toothpaste, 1200 razors, and much more not pictured).
I donate to this cause because they fill a gap that is critical to our society. They provide people in need with dignity. Dignity is imperative, maybe not for survival but for the ability to thrive. For the ability to feel better about themselves. So many charities focus on nourishing bodies. This one nourishes souls.
I can't imagine living without the things I need to get clean. This non-profit makes sure people can have hope for a better future. I can't think of anything more important to a family's success than to have the things they need to get clean.