MUSCATINE, Iowa– During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic as cleaning supplies and personal care items started flying off the shelves, non-profit organizations in the community realized that many people in need could not get items they needed to maintain their personal dignity or keep their living spaces clean. To remedy this problem, several groups came together to start the Community Cleaning Supply and Hygiene Closet.
Because the need for supplies has remained, especially for older adults on a fixed income, Senior Resources has transitioned to hosting the Community Cleaning Supply and Hygiene Closet. “It started during COVID, but it’s still here because it’s still needed,” emphasized Megan Francis, marketing and communications director and executive assistant for Vision 2020, which Senior Resources belongs to.
As the popularity of some items has grown, Senior Resources has found themselves in need of a resupply. This summer, to keep up with demand, Senior Resources welcomes individuals and organizations to donate to the closet.
Whenever anyone in Muscatine finds themselves in need of cleaning supplies or hygiene items, Senior Resources encourages them to call them at 563-263-7292, email them, or send them a Facebook message. Each Wednesday, participants in Crossroads’ day habilitation program visit Senior Resources to pack bags based on the orders received that week. On the first and third Fridays of the month, Crossroads and United Way volunteers take all the prepacked supply bags and drop them off at the requestors’ houses. Alternately, people who would like to pick their items up sooner may stop at Senior Resources, located at 1808 Mulberry Avenue in Muscatine the Thursday after they placed their order.
Since taking over the Community Cleaning Supply and Hygiene Closet, Senior Resources has fond that people need paper products (like toilet paper, paper towels, and tissues), little bottles of liquid detergent, soaps, and body washes the most. Consequently, Senior Resources has the hardest time keeping these items on the shelves. “Paper products and little detergents are the products we run out of most frequently,” Francis highlighted. People often request dish soap, dishwasher detergent, disinfecting wipes and sprays, hand sanitizer, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, deodorant, shaving cream, razors, cotton swabs, and liquid bleach a lot as well.
This summer, Senior Resources encourages business to hold drives to collect items for the Community Cleaning Supply and Hygiene Closet, as many hands make light work. Individuals may also bring in any items they would like to contribute as well. Anyone with donations for the closet may contact Senior Resources and ask for either Megan Francis or Laura Vargas to arrange to bring their donations in.
Though the initial pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic have lessened, many in Muscatine can still use help getting the supplies they need to keep clean and maintain a healthy living environment. “Especially with prices increasing, there are an increasing number of people making decisions between putting food on the table, medication, rent, and keeping the lights on,” said Francis. “If that’s the struggle we can help with today, we want to.”
