During the month of October, Cal State Fullerton’s Student Life and Leadership is hosting a “Titans Helping Titans Hygiene Drive” to help students in need.
The drive is part of a widening effort by the University’s Food and Housing Security Task Force — and other campuses in the Cal State University system — to address food insecurity, homelessness and related issues among college students.
“With the assembly of this task force, we started realizing that there are many areas where students need safety nets,” said Heidi Elmer, Student Life and Leadership coordinator. “We can feed and house them, but we also need to make sure that they’re healthy and have the basic necessities to be successful in school.”
Requested items include tampons, pads, toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, soap, deodorant, shaving cream, shampoo, conditioner, combs, washcloths and razors.
“I think the most challenging items for us to collect are feminine hygiene products because they’re a little more expensive and men don’t typically buy them,” said Elmer.
“Dental care also is very important,” she said. “If students have the supplies to clean their mouths, they’re less likely to get sick, which means they can keep going to work and class.”
Items must be new and in original packaging, but Elmer emphasizes that they don’t need to be brand name products. Donation bins are available at the following campus locations:
- Student Life and Leadership — Room 234, Titan Student Union
- Community Service and Leadership Programs — Room 247, Titan Student Union
- Housing and Residence Life — Academic Resource Center
- African American Resource Center — Room 222, Humanities-Social Sciences Building
- Asian American Resource Center — Room 211B, University Hall
- Chicana and Chicano Resource Center — Room 109, Titan Shops
- Titan Dreamers Resource Center — Room 203, Pollak Library
“There’s no donation that’s too small,” she said. “If you have an extra toothbrush at home that’s still in a package, it helps. You really can make a difference to another student.”
The hygiene drive is a student-led initiative, encouraging Titans to help their fellow classmates — a concept also underlying the September donated meals campaign organized by CSUF’s Housing and Residence Life.
“It’s important for students to see that they can make a difference in the lives of others,” said Elmer. “Of course, anyone on campus is welcome to donate.”
For more information about the hygiene drive, contact Heidi Elmer at 657-278-3504.