Tesco has teamed up with several suppliers to tackle hygiene poverty across the United Kingdom.
In partnership with In Kind Direct, well-known household brands such as Andrex, Aquafresh, Bodyform, Radox, Sure and Wilkinson Sword will help distribute millions of personal care items to people in need.
As part of this initiative, Tesco customers play a vital role. For every two purchases of essential hygiene products, a third hygiene item will be donated directly to In Kind Direct, the chosen charity.
In Kind Direct is a charity that distributes usable consumer goods from manufacturers and retailers to British charities nationally and internationally. The organisation has a rich history of working with charities, community groups, food banks, and schools to provide hygiene products.
"Many people experiencing hygiene poverty face the impossible decision of whether to heat, eat, or keep clean daily. Unfortunately, more and more people are being pushed into this position," said Rosanne Gray, CEO at In Kind Direct.
"We know hygiene poverty disproportionately affects those already struggling, but the research shows that financial difficulties now impact everyone.
Last year, Tesco ran a similar project, leading to the donation of over two million products to people in need.
Recent research commissioned by Essity illustrated how the number of people experiencing hygiene poverty has dramatically increased. Over 23 percent of households with dependents have gone without hygiene products such as shampoo and deodorant.
The survey also found that those who struggled to buy hygiene products were pushed to borrow from friends and family, use free products in public areas, or seek items from charitable organisations.
"This new research highlights how the number of families impacted by hygiene poverty has grown in recent years," said Thomas Maier, Tesco's category buying manager for beauty and personal care.
"That is why In Kind Direct's work to help people is so important, and we are pleased to be working again with our suppliers to provide hygiene products where they are needed most."
The campaign will be run across all United Kingdom Tesco supermarkets.
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