Gap in Basic Needs Products and One Project's Attempt to Help.

Abstract

In the United States poverty is a barrier for individuals and families to access basic hygiene products. An individual who makes an income of less than $12,060 a year is considered below the poverty level (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2017); this amount has to suffice for house or rent payments, car payments, trash, phone, water, electricity, food, buying warm clothing for the winter, and so on. Government assistance for food is available for those making less than the poverty line amount, but hygiene products are excluded from approved purchases. This lack of inclusion for basic hygiene products forces people to make a choice between the hygiene items and payments for living needs. In the United States, 14.4 percent of the population live below the poverty level (U.S. Census Bureau, 2011–2015a). The data are even more shocking within cities, as many demonstrate the disproportional income gap. For example, 40.3 percent of Detroit’s population have an income below the poverty line (U.S. Census Bureau, 2011–2015b). One source of assistance is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP does not include the purchase of nonfood items including soaps, paper products, and household supplies (U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, 2016). Unfortunately, basic hygiene products, such as deodorant, tampons, toothpaste, toilet paper, and so on fall into the excluded categories. Therefore, those who qualify for governmental assistance cannot purchase these essential items with SNAP assistance.