Hygiene Kits Available at Local Libraries

Submitted by: LDRL Staff

Little Dixie Regional Libraries is pleased to announce that hygiene kits will be available at all four branches in Randolph and Monroe Counties for anyone who requests one.

Each kit contains shampoo, soap, antibacterial wipes, alcohol wipes, tooth brush, toothpaste, comb, sunscreen, a grooming kit, a first aid kit, an ink pen, chapstick, resource guides and more. All of the items are housed in a clear, waterproof bag for ease of travel and weather proof.

These kits will be given out at libraries in Moberly, Madison, Paris, and Huntsville.

These hygiene kits provide dignity to an individual by giving them essential personal care items that they can carry with them. "I've worked in the library for over twenty years. We regularly have people coming into the library who need these products and have few ways to access them. Inflation has only worsened the problem. After seeing this project in other communities, I asked some local partners and we created these hygiene kits," commented Director Rachael Grime.

Libraries across the country are identifying similar needs in their communities and implementing hygiene product distribution programs at their institutions.

"You don't have to be a patron of the library to come in and ask for a hygiene kit. Housed or unhoused, young or old, male or female, these kits are available to anyone," Grime says. "Libraries provide more than just books. We want people to have free access to materials and information. In this little way we can make our community a little brighter and ease the discomfort of some of our patrons."

These hygiene kits are available to anyone within the community at any point in their lives. The library already provides free menstrual products within the restrooms at all branches.

No taxpayer money was used to create these kits. "While librarians did take in the donations and assemble the kits into bags, all money and items were collected from our community partners," Grime stated.

This project would not have happened without the kind and generous donations from local sponsors. The library would like to thank the Moberly Friends of the Library, Moberly Optimist Club, Monroe County Health Department, Randolph County Health Department, Orscheln, Walmart Distribution Center, Dr. Mark Furhman of Huntsville, The Paris National Bank and the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #2669.

The library would encourage anyone wishing to donate travel size hygiene items or monetary donations toward this project to bring them into their local library. These kits will be an ongoing project.