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What's up with Hygiene Poverty?
What's up with Hygiene Poverty?
April 11, 2026
By: Morgan Swanberg
Hygiene is personal, but it is also cultural. In the U.S., "clean girl" aesthetics are popular online, and "clean tok" is also a popular form of media. There are expected levels of cleanliness, wash your hands, shower and wash with soap, using deodorant, cleaning your dishes after use, and washing your clothes after they are soiled. The basics can cost a lot. It also feels like you have to buy these products in waves. Why is it that I always run out of laundry detergent, lotion, shampoo, and conditioner at the same time? I go to the grocery store and am shocked at the final price. It doesn't leave a lot to work with until the next paycheck. I know I am not alone.
"According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 35.9 million Americans (10.6% of the population) lived in poverty in 2024, a population for whom affording basic hygiene products presents a daily challenge." Hygiene Poverty.” Giving the Basics, givingthebasics.org/hygiene-poverty.
Since 2024, there has been an increase in prices due to tariffs, increased transportation costs due to oil price increases, and inflation. The American consumer has taken the hit, and there are particular populations at risk of experiencing hygiene poverty. This includes children and students, working adults, families with young children, and people experiencing homelessness. Hygiene Poverty.” Giving the Basics, givingthebasics.org/hygiene-poverty
If someone cannot show up to work, school, or activities because they are lacking hygiene supplies and are ashamed, this can seriously impact their success in their endeavors. Hygiene poverty affects attendance and overall productivity.
Reaching out to Organization's
Reaching out to Organization's
April 13, 2026
The idea all started when I was promoting the Reusable Period Product Program for Free Flow NM on the UNM main campus by posting fliers in popular bathrooms. I was in the SUB and went to the Lobo Food Pantry to post the flier, and I noticed that the only item in the hygiene supplies was diapers. I went on to ask Laurie, and it turns out Lobo Food Pantry was in touch with Free Flow NM, looking for assistance! I think it was all meant to be.
There was a discussion of having a period kit assembly event for Free Flow NM at UNM so I got the ball rolling and got 500 period kits approved for my event to be donated to students! Lauire was also helpful in getting me in contact with the Lobo Food Pantry to learn more about specific needs. I have posted their donation page to "Donate" if you are interested in checking out their wishlist. Laurie also suggested that I reach out to Simply the Basics. This is a "health and hygiene nonprofit working to make hygiene equitable, accessible, and dignified for people experiencing homelessness and low-income communities." https://www.simplythebasics.org/purpose I am hoping that this can be a useful resource to get a more impactful donation.
Collaboration
Collaboration
April 15, 2026
With a project this large, I could feel myself getting overwhelmed. How will this or that happen? Turns out you just work through it one task at a time...
I was able to meet with Lobo Food Pantry's Basic Needs Specialist, Candelaria Martinez, regarding the donation, which was so helpful! She was the missing link in my project and has offered her help in making sure that this is successful! Thanks, Cande!
There are a lot of rules when it comes to donating to a University. For example, GoFundMe can bring up some issues and UNM wouldn't be able to promote it. It seems that the best direction to take at this time is to promote the UNM Food Pantry's Amazon wish list, as this will have products donated to them directly. To avoid difficulties with the GoFundMe issue, monetary donations can be made through the FreeFlow NM website with a note stating that it is intended for UNM. This is a tax write-off since Free Flow NM is a 501(3)(c)!!! Laurie has notified me that I can use the funds as I see fit. Something that Cande and I spoke about was possibly using funds to purchase reusable period products or bulk disposable products.
I also got an email back from Simply the Basics, and they are not able to make a single donation to a drive as they work with schools to provide consistent resources. I was able to connect Cande with this organization, and hopefully, they can help with a more consistent supply of hygiene products.
As far as period products go it seems that Free Flow will make a one-time donation of 500 period kits and supply reusable period products to those who reach out for the program. I'll post details below. I know a one-time donation will only cover the supply for so long. Laurie and I are looking into solutions to get period kits to the Lobo Food Pantry more consistently, but this might be a next-semester task.
It doesn't hurt to ask
It doesn't hurt to ask
April 16, 2026
I have been working to secure a room in the SUB to host my period packing event. There was an 80-dollar fee to use the room and a 150-dollar fee to use the computer equipment. In communications with an event coordinator, I was able to get a 50% discount; however, there was also an option to get sponsored by a CSO. This is all a foreign language to me! I reached out to several organizations looking for a sponsorship for the event. I am also reaching out to see if anyone knows about other spaces available. I am emailing a lot of new people, and I am trying to communicate clearly. I can feel a little unsure of myself as I wait for a response. I will be patient and persistent for the next couple of weeks.
Self Doubts
Self Doubts
April 17, 2026
For a discussion post in my persuasive communication class, a question came up about any self-doubts, so I was forced to reflect on that experience. I think when you are learning and taking on big projects for the first time, you are not going to know what you are doing. This means that things aren't necessarily optimized. I am doing some things last-minute, like trying to start my own CSO, getting sponsored by a CSO, or even just getting a room or volunteers to reach out.
This project relies on a lot of people, and I know right now I have help from the Lobo Food Pantry, and I have 500 period kits from Free Flow NM. I will get them all packed somehow haha! I just thought things were going to go a little differently, but I am learning to adjust and find different solutions. I think not letting one closed door stop you from looking into other doors is important.
I am working through content and trying to get it to be just right. I want it to feel persuasive and get more people on board with things. I haven't been using AI in my efforts until this point, I am using it ot help with scripting. In class, we learned how AI has an edge in persuasion. It knows what gets people. Since I have not had much outreach aside from my awesome teachers, I decided to have it help me with the script, which you can see on social media planning.
I had to make some edits to the content and I also had to be very specific with how I wanted things to make sure that it applied to my hygiene drive. AI was able to help me come up with a script for 7 different reels that I can post throughout the week, as well as good songs to use based on popularity and editing trends. I think there could be an edge using this approach to social media since AI is already dominating the algorithms, if it can tell me what will do well, that could be pretty cool.
Weekly update!
Weekly update!
I finally found a location for my hygiene drive! I did not think that I was going to be able to however, my work study pulled through, and I have a location now! Please email me at mswanberg@unm.edu if interested in attending on May 4th!
I have a couple of volunteers who have reached out, and I think I have access to students as well. I have also made plans to finish any kits on May 6th if this is needed. I was able to create a lot of content this week, and I about drove myself crazy getting everything just right. I ended up using the scripts loosely, and I was only able to get 3 videos made so far, but I definitely had a learning curve, as this is a new style of editing for me. You can see my text posts to the left and my reels that I will post below!
I have been working on any self-doubts as they come up and focusing on the wins! So far, I have over 1,600$ worth of period products to donate to Lobo Food Pantry because of Free Flow New Mexico, and the Drive hasn't even been opened up to the public yet. I plan on using the "how to donate" post daily to help with consistency and even recognition. I will do a final review and edit with Laurie on the content, then plan the posts in the Business Meta Suite App to be posted!
The Drive has started!
The Drive has started!
April 28, 2026
The first post has been made. No one tells you how cringey it can feel to see your stuff posted. I am proud of it, but worried that it won't do well. It's all an experiment at the end of the day and more sucsessful that I had originally imagined, thanks to Free Flow New Mexico!
So far so good!
So far so good!
May 1, 2026
This week, I have been monitoring scheduled posts, and I have also gotten more people reaching out to volunteer! It just goes to show how important it is to be patient because when you reach out 2 weeks in advance, there are bound to be people who wait to reply. Putting yourself out there can feel vulnerable, and that is a valid experience; however, I feel silly for stressing about the volunteer situation now. There have been donations to both Lobo Food Pantry and Free Flow NM! I am so grateful for all who have taken the time to do so, it is validating that this is something worth doing :)
Thank You!
Thank You!
There have been donations both to Lobo Food Pantry (Amazon wishlist) and Free Flow New Mexico! There are still 2 days left to donate! Tomorrow I will pack 500 period kits for Lobo Food Pantry with a combination of volunteers; it's everyone's first period kit assembly, so Laurie is coming down to help! I appreciate all the hands, and I am looking forward to making all this talk become reality. I will go to the dean of students tomorrow at 9 am to pick up boxes to take over to the student support and services center, then we will start packing at 10!
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