‘I hate to turn anyone away’: North End primary care facility hosts hygiene drive

A primary care facility in the North End is hosting a hygiene drive to collect some much-needed items. 

After seeing an increased need for items like soap, shampoo, toothbrushes and other necessities, Hope Centre Health Care decided to host a hygiene drive.

“When I started at Hope Centre Health Centre, we did not have enough funding,” said Social Services and Community Outreach Facilitator, Susanna Tasse. “We were pulling from our emergency food fund.”

This ultimately led them to have issues stocking their food bank. That’s when they knew they had to do something much larger that involved the community.

“We had such a great response,” said Tasse. “Winnipeg is amazing. There is so much heart here. We had companies calling. We even had people dropping off gift cards. It really helped us a lot.”

Now in their third year of hosting a hygiene drive, Tasse says the need for these items has grown exponentially.

“Everything is expensive,” Tasse explained. ” We get requests every day. I hate to turn anyone away.” 

Tasse says there are several items they are looking for including, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, soap, deodorant, feminine hygiene, dental hygiene, toilet paper, nail clippers, body lotion, diapers, baby wipes, formula, socks, undergarments and running shoes. 

Donations can be dropped off at Hope Centre Health Care at 240 Powers Street between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. They will also pick up donations up until the end of the month. To set up a pickup contact Susanna at 204-589-8354 ext. 206. 

The hygiene drive runs until the end of the month; however, they will continue to take donations year-round.