Tesco has again joined forces with its suppliers of well-known household brands to help distribute millions of personal care items to people in need.
From now until June 11, for every two purchases by Tesco customers from a selection of essential hygiene products, its suppliers will donate a third hygiene item directly to charity, In Kind Direct.
Last autumn, Tesco teamed up with its suppliers to address rising levels of need and over two million products have already been donated as part of the campaign.
Participating in the campaign again are Unilever, Essity, Haleon, Kimberly-Clark and new partner, Edgewell.
These products will be distributed by In Kind Direct, who works with thousands of charities, community groups, foodbanks and schools across the UK to get much-needed hygiene products to people who need them.
Research commissioned by Essity in partnership with Tesco and In Kind Direct has illustrated how people are currently experiencing hygiene poverty.
Families are often impacted, and this survey revealed that 26% of Greater Manchester households with dependents have gone without hygiene products such as shampoo or deodorant.
The poll revealed that in Greater Manchester, those who have struggled to buy hygiene products during the last year have had to borrow from friends or family (38%), used free products from public spaces (25%), or used free products from work (13%).
Rosanne Gray, CEO of In Kind Direct, said: “Many people experiencing hygiene poverty face the impossible decision to heat, eat or keep clean on a daily basis, and unfortunately more and more people are being pushed into this position.
“We know hygiene poverty disproportionately affects those already struggling, but the research shows that financial difficulties are now impacting everyone.
“The ripple effect impacts mental health, workplace productivity and school attendance – it’s something that requires collective action which is why we’ve formed this partnership with Tesco and some of our committed corporate partners to help reduce hygiene poverty in the UK.”
Thomas Maier, category buying manager at Tesco, said: “This new research highlights how the number of families being impacted by hygiene poverty has grown in recent years. That is why the work done by In Kind Direct to help people is so important and we are really pleased to be working again with our suppliers to provide hygiene products where they are needed most.”
