University of Galway Students’ Union has announced that it will be partnering with The Hygiene Bank Galway again this year.
The Students’ Union will be holding monthly donation drives asking students and staff to join the fight against hygiene poverty.
There will be a donation point in the Students’ Union office each month starting today where hygiene, personal care and household cleaning products can be left for those in need.
Last year the Union collected almost 200 kg of donations for the Bank and hope to collect even more this year.
Donated items will be distributed to The Hygiene Bank’s community partners in Galway which include COPE Galway, Galway Simon Community, Galway Traveller Movement and St Vincent de Paul among others.
They are asking for donations of shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, razors, shaving foam, deodorant, hairbrushes, hair ties, period products, nappies, baby wipes, toilet roll, headlice shampoo and laundry detergent.
“We are delighted to partner with The Hygiene Bank again this year to join the fight against hygiene poverty,” said Students’ Union President Sai Gujulla.
“The Hygiene Bank are an amazing movement who help those living in poverty access the basics items they need. Their work addresses a huge injustice that exists in our society.”
Students’ Union Vice President/Welfare and Equality Officer Imogen O’Flaherty Falconer added that hygiene poverty is a major issue in the current cost of living crisis.
“It can lead to people having to make impossible choices between buying food or keeping clean,” she said.
“Our monthly donation drives aim to help The Hygiene Bank to stop the social isolation that can result from hygiene poverty.”
