Mission

Essentials First empowers dignity daily and strengthens community-wide wellness by providing and advocating for equitable access to essential personal and household hygiene supplies, as well as culturally appropriate food assistance.

Vision

At Essentials First, our vision is to create a community where

• Everyone has access to life-giving hygiene products that will protect against serious illness

• Anyone who steps into their shower will find soap and shampoo

• Moms, dads and caregivers always have adequate laundry and dish soap

• All people can experience the benefits of a clean kitchen, clean body and clean clothes

• Dignity and respect are afforded to all

A brief history

2017 - Kits for Peace founded by local youth in response to hygiene access inequity among unhoused neighbors

2018 - Kits for Peace achieves 501(c)(3) nonprofit status

2021 - Rebrand as Essentials First, flagship location opens in Bellevue

2023-2024 - New Essentials First locations open in Redmond, Kent, and Seattle

The need

You can’t buy soap with an EBT card. Hygiene essentials like soap, shampoo, dish and laundry detergents, razors, and menstrual supplies can’t be purchased with SNAP/EBT or WIC funds.

Hygiene insecurity mirrors food insecurity. 1 in 10 people (1 in 7 children) in WA State don’t have reliable hygiene access. That’s 3+ kids in every classroom that can’t count on clean bodies, clothes, or dishes.

Hygiene equity connects to everything. Studies and community insights show us that lack of hygiene access and connected stigmas profoundly impact both physical and mental health, continuity of housing and employment, attendance and participation in school, family togetherness, and social relationships.

Our mission in action

Settling Afghan Refugees

We are working in partnership with MAPS-MCRC, SCM and others to support newly arriving Afghan families to ensure their hygiene and culturally acceptable food needs are met.

“Our family has traveled halfway across the world so that our children have a chance to have a safe and happy childhood. Thank you for helping us, especially when we have nothing. It means a lot to us.”

-Gul, an Afghan refugee

In Partnership

We are collaborating with Helping Hands Food Bank of Skagit County for regular distribution of hygiene kits.
So many families are struggling financially during the pandemic.

“Ensuring that they have essential hygiene items to keep them healthy is an important part of my day.”

- Miranda, Program Manager

Supporting BIPOC Communities

We partnered with Black Coffee NW to deliver 1,500 personal hygiene kits and food vouchers to low income, black families with children.

“I lost my job due to an opioid addiction after a physical injury and couldn't afford to buy shaving products. Now, I’m more confident going for job interviews and am working towards getting my life back on track.”

- Danny, a father of four