Community Hygiene Impact in North Carolina

Access to basic hygiene should never be a barrier to health, education, or dignity. Yet for thousands of families across North Carolina, everyday essentials like soap, toothpaste, and period products remain out of reach.

In 2025, the Kindness Closet expanded its reach, strengthened partnerships, and responded to urgent community needs at a scale never seen before. From schools and shelters to disaster relief zones, this year’s impact reflects both growing need and growing community support.

Below is a snapshot of what collective generosity made possible in 2025.

Overall Reach & Distribution

In 2025, the Kindness Closet distributed more than 500,000 hygiene products across North Carolina through schools, nonprofit partners, clinics, and emergency response efforts.

This total includes:

• Daily hygiene essentials for families facing financial hardship

• Period products for students through school-based programs

• Large-scale emergency relief distribution following natural disasters

These numbers represent more than items moved. They represent stress relieved, dignity restored, and families better equipped to focus on school, work, and health.

Program-Specific Impact

Red Cart Project – School-Based Period Support

The Red Cart Project continued to grow throughout 2025, providing reliable access to period products where students need them most.

• Approximately 10,000 students served

• 28+ schools actively participating

• Thousands of period products distributed each month

Schools report reduced stigma, improved student confidence, and fewer disruptions to the school day when products are readily available in bathrooms and common areas.

Community Hygiene Kits

Through partner organizations and large-scale packing events, tens of thousands of hygiene kits were distributed to families and individuals in need.

Key highlights include:

• 480+ unhoused students served through Iredell-Statesville Schools

• Community-wide kit distributions during Back-to-School Bash events

• Corporate and civic group packing events

• Expanded senior hygiene kit support through Rotary partnerships
  

These kits help families redirect limited resources toward food, housing, utilities, and transportation.

Western North Carolina Disaster Relief

In response to Hurricane Helene, the Kindness Closet mobilized quickly to support impacted communities in Western North Carolina.

• 180,000 hygiene products distributed to affected counties

• A fivefold increase in disaster relief distribution compared to 2024
  

This rapid response ensured families had access to essential hygiene supplies during an already overwhelming time.

Partnerships & Volunteer Support

None of this impact would be possible without strong community collaboration.

In 2025:

• 50+ partner organizations supported distribution efforts, including schools, clinics, food pantries, and community centers

• Hundreds of volunteer hours contributed through warehouse sorting, kit packing, corporate service days, and community events

• New and expanding partnerships laid the groundwork for continued growth in 2026, including healthcare systems, corporate teams, civic organizations, and grant-funded initiatives.

Why Hygiene Access Matters

• Internal surveys and national data continue to reinforce what families already know to be true:

• Over 90% of families report reduced stress when hygiene needs are met

• Hygiene access helps families avoid missing work or school

• One in three low-income families struggles to afford hygiene products

• Forty percent of North Carolina kindergarteners enter school with untreated tooth decay

• Social factors account for approximately 80% of health outcomes

• Hygiene is not a luxury. It is a foundation for health, learning, and opportunity.

Looking Ahead

As the Kindness Closet moves into 2026, the focus remains on sustainable partnerships, early-year funding commitments, and continued expansion into underserved communities.

This impact reflects what is possible when communities come together to meet real needs with compassion and action. Frequently Asked Questions: How many hygiene products did the Kindness Closet distribute in 2025? The Kindness Closet distributed more than 500,000 hygiene products across North Carolina in 2025 through schools, nonprofit partners, and disaster relief efforts.

What is the Red Cart Project? The Red Cart Project is a school-based initiative that provides period products to students, helping reduce stigma, improve attendance, and increase confidence.

How does hygiene access help families? Access to hygiene products reduces stress, supports school and work attendance, and allows families to better afford food, housing, and utilities.

Did the Kindness Closet provide disaster relief in 2025? Yes. Following Hurricane Helene, the organization distributed 180,000 hygiene products to affected communities in Western North Carolina.