Community Kits

Community Kits Program

Our volunteer-powered Community Kits program offers two types of kits, Essential Hygiene Kits and Street Kits. These kits are available at no cost to community members at four Essentials First drop-in locations in Bellevue, Redmond, Kent, and Seattle, as well as community events and partner organizations throughout the Puget Sound Region.

Street Kits are adjusted seasonally to include weather-related items. For example: in the winter we include gloves, socks, and hand warmers. In the summer, we include electrolytes and sunscreen. Due to regional weather, rain ponchos and emergency blankets are included year round. Blankets and sleeping bags are offered alongside these kits year-round when possible.

Essential Hygiene Kits are consistent year round by design, with occasional variation in contents reflecting supply chain availability.

Help make it happen!

Anyone interested in volunteering or hosting a kit packing event is invited to please fill out this form; our volunteer coordination team will review your request and follow up.

If you’d like to help supply these kits, you can make a donation online here and select “Community Kits”, or contact Amina at amina@essentialsfirst.org to coordinate a donation of supplies.

Types of Kits

  • Essential Hygiene Kit

    These kits include 10 full-size household and personal hygiene items. Base kit is designed to meet the needs of a household of 1-3 people for 1 month; kits are customized at pick-up to serve the needs of larger families.

    Contents may include:

    Shampoo & conditioner

    Bar soap

    Menstrual hygiene products

    Toothpaste & toothbrush

    Shaving supplies

    Deodorant

    Wipes

    Laundry Detergent

    Dishwashing Liquid

    Hand sanitizer

  • Street Kit

    These smaller kits contain mostly travel-size items and are designed to meet the immediate hygiene needs of one person living outside.

    Contents may include:

    Lip Balm

    Hand sanitizer

    Toothpaste

    Toothbrush

    Tissues

    Bar soap

    Mouthwash

    Granola bar

    Rain Poncho

    Emergency Blanket