Grant Request Giving the Basics, Inc.

Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form


Organization Name: Giving the Basics, Inc.
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As:
Mailing Address: 927 S. 7th Street Traffic Way
City: Kansas City
State: Kansas
Postal Code: 66105
Main Phone: 9133874375
Main Fax:
Organization Website: http://www.givingthebasics.org
Employer ID Number: 45-3069975
Organization Tax Status: 501C3

Proposal Information


Today’s Date: 2/22/2023
Requested Amount: 10,000

Project Title: School Program: Hygiene Supplies for Health & Dignity
Project Description:

Giving the Basics’ School Hygiene Program distributes free personal hygiene supplies to low-income Kansas City area students. We launched the program in 2014 in response to calls from school staff who told us that many of their students had no way to wash their clothes or hair and were going without daily items like toothpaste and soap. These young people were being ostracized and often bullied, leading to chronic absenteeism.

Our School Hygiene Program currently partners with 401 public, charter, and parochial schools in the Kansas City metro area providing access to over 180,000 students. Supplies provided include, among others: shampoo, deodorant, soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste, period products and home cleaning supplies such as detergent. In 2022, we expanded this program through a Rural School Program, shipping hygiene supplies to 19 schools outside the Kansas City area. No other agency in our region provides a similar service.

How the School Program works:
• School register for the program on our website and are added to wait list.
• Schools join the program once funds are available for the first year of service.
• Schools receive an online account through which they submit monthly orders.
• Each school is assigned a monthly pick-up day.
• Volunteers and staff complete each order and assist with pick-up.
• At each school, supplies are stocked in the nurse’s office.
• Students are free to choose the products they need any time during school hours.
• Schools and pantries submit monthly reports and letters of impact.

Outcomes
• Students experience improved health and establish life-long healthy habits.
• Improved attendance and participation in school activities.
• Improved quality of life, increased acceptance by peers, decrease in bullying.

Funding from the Charles and Joan Hermanowski Family Foundation will assist in meeting the needs of the 420 schools currently served and help us to add additional schools from our wait list. At this time, 60 schools are waiting to join the program.

Total Project Budget: 936,891

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): In-Kind donation of products: School Program Funders 2022-23 School Year Jackson County Outside Agency Fund, $40,000 Agnew Family Foundation, $35,000 John W. Effie E. Speas Memorial Trust, $25,000 Mader Foundation, $20,000 Go Fish Fund, $18,000 Irven E. and NeVada P. Linscomb Foundation, $15,000 Hallmark Community Involvement Program, $15,000 Royals Charities, $15,000 Delta Dental, $15,000 McGee Foundation, $13,000 ScanSource Charitable Foundation, $10,000 Jacob L. and Ella C. Loose Foundation, $5,000 Looking Out Foundation, $5,000 Truman Heartland Community Foundation, $5,000 R.A. Long Foundation, $5,000 Overland Park South Rotary Club Grant, $5,000 Opus Foundation, $5,000

Project Duration: School-year
Geographical Area Served: Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Area and rural surrounding schools
Age Group To Be Served: elementary, middle and high school students. Under 19 years of age.

Contact Information


Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Chandra
Contact Last Name: Goebel
Contact Title: Chief Financial Officer
Contact Phone: 913-387-4375
Contact Email: grants@givingthebasics.org