Everyone wants to feel Clean 2 the Core! This program was established in response to the pressing need for hygiene products within our community. While working closely with various schools, I was deeply moved by the stories shared by students and educators alike, which completely reshaped my understanding of the situation. For the first time, I learned that a staggering 70% to 80% of the students were grappling with homelessness, often sleeping in cars or motels yet still managing to attend school. The thought of such young children facing these overwhelming challenges was difficult to grasp, and it stirred a powerful desire within me to make a difference.

This realization prompted me to seek a way to help, leading to the partnership with Ridwell and the new program they started. They generously donated Gaylords filled with new and lightly used hygiene products, providing a solid foundation for my efforts. Energized by this support, I set a goal to create hygiene bags for each school I worked with. I began with 50 bags, carefully assembling them to ensure they met a variety of needs, and the reception was overwhelmingly positive.

From that point on, the initiative began to flourish. Each hygiene bag was thoughtfully curated to include essentials for the entire family, such as shampoo, conditioners, soaps, toothpaste, toothbrushes, lotions, and, when available, perfume and makeup. The aim of these bags goes beyond merely providing products; it’s about fostering a sense of dignity and self-worth. By offering these thoughtful essentials, I hope to empower individuals to feel like themselves, to experience a moment of joy and normalcy amidst the challenges they face.

Marquesha Fells

Executive Assistant