United Way’s Annual Countywide Personal Care Drive Set to Launch

United Way’s Annual Countywide Personal Care Drive Set to Launch
Support Cayuga County Food Pantries, Soup Kitchens, & Shelters

The United Way of Cayuga County is seeking assistance from the community to help collect 3,000 hygiene items to support county food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters.

Many families and individuals in our community need hygiene products—items that are often not covered by assistance programs and are rare finds at local food pantries. For the eighth year in a row, the United Way of Cayuga County is partnering with CAP and the community to help fill this growing need. The 2025 Countywide Personal Care Drive will launch in conjunction with the Day of Caring on Thursday, August 7 with donation boxes throughout all regions of Cayuga County until Monday, October 13.

As our community continues to face rising inflation and legislative changes that are drastically reducing—or in some cases eliminating—funding for feeding programs and emergency services provided by our food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters, the demand for basic hygiene items is rapidly increasing in Cayuga County. Community members are faced with having to choose between paying their utility bills or purchasing laundry soap, toothpaste, and toilet paper.

The drive collects items such as shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, dental floss, deodorant, razors, laundry detergent, body wash, hand soap, sanitary napkins, tampons, toilet paper, and diapers. Last year, our food pantries asked to expand the list to include dish soap and facial tissues.

Donation sites can be found on the United Way website– find a location near your and support the Countywide Personal Care Drive this summer.

Does your social club, church group, scouting troop, sports team, or other club want to host an abbreviated drive to collect items? The United Way of Cayuga County can help you promote your efforts by sharing flyers on social media, including events in monthly newsletter, and adding information on their website.

Does your employer want to host a community box for employees and clients? Register your location on the United Way’s website and volunteers will pick up your box after the drive ends in October. Want to host a box for just your employees or remain anonymous? You can use the same link to register your box as well.

Thanks to a generous donation from Cases Unlimited, you can request a box that you can pick up from the United Way office in downtown Auburn when you register your box site.

Last year, we collected 2,300 items that were distributed to 17 Cayuga County food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters. This year, the United Way and CAP hope to distribute 3,000 items, but we need your help.

Want to learn more or have questions about the Countywide Personal Care Drive? Reach out to Campaign & Marketing manager, Julisa Stone-Szpaicher at 315.253.9741 or email jstone@unitedwayofcayugacounty.org.

The Countywide Personal Care Drive is made possible thanks to the generosity of our Community; partnerships with CAP, Cases Unlimited, and donation sites across the county; and event sponsors that include Cayuga Lake National Bank, Wegmans, Nucor Steel, Classic Hits 99.3, Savannah Bank, Pinnacle Investments, MEDENT, Auburn Community Hospital, Beardsley Architects + Engineers, Bouley Associates, Auburn Crane & Rigging, Lyons National Bank, Tompkins Community Bank, East Hill Medical Center, Centolella Enterprises, Sophie Cat, Farmboy Graphics, and Jacobs Press.