Sometimes the most meaningful gifts come in simple boxes. This week, 100 Minneapolis families received hygiene kits packed with everyday essentials—toothbrushes, soap, toilet paper, and even a children’s book. Thanks to PNC employees and Greater Twin Cities United Way, these kits are helping families breathe a little easier.
Corporate giving works best when it’s personal. PNC gets that, and so does United Way. Together, they turned an afternoon into lasting impact for 100 families.
What’s Inside a Hygiene Kit?
Each kit was packed with everyday essentials that families use but don’t always have easy access to:
- Toothbrushes and toothpaste (fluoride-free for toddlers!)
- Menstrual products
- Cleaning solution
- Toilet paper and paper towels
- A children’s book in English or Spanish
Both toddler and youth kits were created with age-appropriate items. These aren’t fancy products, they’re practical ones. The kind that run out fast and cost more than people think.
Why This Gift Matters
When families receive a box like this, it does more than fill a shelf. It lifts a weight. Parents don’t have to choose between buying soap or saving for groceries. Kids have what they need to feel clean, healthy, and ready for the day. Most importantly, families feel seen when they get a kit like this. It shows them their community cares and supports them.
When families receive boxes like this, something shifts. Research shows that when families are able to meet basic needs such as food, housing, and medical care, parents experience less stress, which allows them to provide the critical support that children need to grow into healthy, productive adults Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
How Way to Grow Families Use These Kits
Way to Grow Family Educators delivered these kits directly to homes during visits. Our educators work with families from pregnancy through third grade, supporting early learning, health, and school readiness. When a Family Educator arrives with a hygiene kit, it’s not just about handing over supplies. It’s about building trust. It’s about showing families they’re not doing this alone. And when basic needs are covered, parents can focus on bigger goals — like reading with their kids, attending a parent-teacher conference, or just enjoying time together without stress.
See the Impact and Get Involved
Want to see more moments like this? Follow Way to Grow on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn to catch stories, photos, and updates from families and partners across Minneapolis.
Inspired by what PNC and United Way did? Here’s how you can help:
- Donate to provide resources for families at waytogrow.org/give
- Organize a drive at your workplace or community group through
- Partner with us to create hands-on volunteer opportunities
Interested in learning more? Email us at wtg@mplswaytogrow.org or visit our Get Involved page. Strong communities grow when people show up for one another. Thanks to PNC and Greater Twin Cities United Way for showing up big for Minneapolis families!
