A trip to the grocery store nets more than a cart full of food. There’s also toilet paper, deodorant, cleaning supplies and more, and for those who are struggling financially to purchase food, the costs can be prohibitive.
To offer a helping hand to students and employees, the UAB Staff Council and the Benevolent Fund will collect toiletries through July 12 as part of the annual Blazer Kitchen Toiletry Drive, which stocks the on-campus food bank with personal hygiene items that also may be needed by patrons.
The unit that collects the most toiletry items — as measured by weight — will win 25 tickets to the UAB vs. Rice football game Oct. 5 at Legion Field. Light-weight items that come in multiples, such as toilet paper or paper towels, will be calibrated for equity to heavier items such as laundry detergent.
“We hope the UAB community can come together in the spirit of friendly competition to make a difference in the lives of our fellow Blazers in need,” said Dave Beeching, chair of the Staff Council. “Right now, the Blazer Kitchen is in dire need of feminine hygiene products, toilet paper, full-size shampoos and conditioners, shaving cream and deodorant.”
Donations can be given to Staff Council representatives. During this drive, the Blazer Kitchen hopes to acquire specific items:
- Feminine hygiene products
- Toilet paper
- Full-size shampoos and conditioners
- Shaving cream
- Deodorant
- Soap
- Toothbrushes, toothpaste and dental floss
- Cotton swabs
- Dishwashing liquid
- Laundry detergent
- Paper towels
- Household cleaners
- Reusable cloth shopping bags
In its two years on campus — at its Medical Towers and Hill Student Center locations — the Blazer Kitchen has served more than 156,300 meals to 650-plus students and nearly 575 employees and more than 10,000 meals to patients in UAB Medicine clinics. To make that possible, nearly 800 volunteers, including more than 550 students, volunteered 5,600-plus hours since March 2017; sign up to volunteer through BlazerPulse.
Help the Graduate School and Staff Council provide much-needed items to the Ronald McDonald House and Birmingham-area schools.
