This November, the Community Hygiene Bank served 350 residents from the area. Each family that attended the distribution received a blessing box which included a personal invitation to a Thanksgiving meal, a handwritten Christmas card, hand-knitted hats, paper products, toiletries, laundry soap, personal hygiene items, and more.
The Community Hygiene Bank (CHB) has been serving community members in need in the Brockport Central School District and the surrounding area since 2017. CHB President Scarlett Aeckerle began the ministry with a mission to provide basic hygiene items to community members in need with dignity, hope, and respect to enhance the health of the community. In July 2021, the CHB found a new home at Jubilee Christian Church in Clarkson. Scarlett, her team, staff at Jubilee church, and volunteers from the community help serve at the CHB by collecting items, organizing, and distributing them.
In November, students from SUNY Brockport’s Phi Sigma Sigma sorority also came out on a chilly morning, volunteering to help distribute hygiene items and warm smiles to those who visited the CHB. Six veterans from the Veterans Outreach Center also donated their time to help serve at the CHB. Army Veteran Mark McCloskey has a heart to serve those in need. “I have worked with Scarlett at the hygiene bank for the past two years while attending Roberts Wesleyan for MSW. I started as an MSW intern learning about grassroots community-based organizations and have continued serving after graduation because I believe in the cause of helping others in need,” said McCloskey. After he graduated from Roberts, he began working at Veterans Outreach Center as a Peer Support Specialist at Richard’s House. He has since become a Clinical Services Manager at Liberty Landing and continues to stay close to the veterans at VOC.
As the CHB grows to meet community need, the need for space and storage has increased. Scarlett said, “The Hygiene Bank saw a dramatic 50% increase over 2020-2021. The current increase in prices on everything has now put even basic things like hygiene products out of reach for many families and individuals.” Climate-controlled storage capabilities became necessary to continue serving the growing need. “Thankfully, the CHB was blessed with three grants that allowed this to happen,” said Scarlett. The First Presbyterian Church of Brockport awarded the CHB a $5,000 Tooley Fund grant, which paid for the ground preparation and stonework. The Willmott Foundation awarded the CHB a $30,000 grant, which paid for the 20’x30’ building itself and the heat and air system. Then, a $5,000 corporate sponsorship grant from Excellus helped with the installation of the electricity and fixtures. Insulation was donated by Craig Wall, and Matt Howland will be donating labor.
A thank you and celebration lunch was held on Tuesday, November 22, and representatives from Willmott Foundation and First Presbyterian were in attendance, along with CHB Volunteers and Program Board members.
The new storage facility will be vital for the growth of the CHB. It is anticipated to see a 50% increase from 2022 and a 300% increase since it began in 2017. “Having this separate storage area will allow the CHB to take in more needed donations and in much larger quantities,” said Scarlett.
For additional information about the CHB, distribution dates, volunteering, or to donate to this growing ministry, visit http:/www.hygiene4all.org or call 585-637-8530 (church) or at CHB phone 585-470-3875.
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