Companies’ donated goods helping more families with essential basics, says In Kind Direct
Howard Lake | 11 March 2014 | News
Charities are being asked to provide essential supplies to those struggling to afford them, according to donated goods charity In Kind Direct. Over half of charities in the In Kind Direct network are giving out supplies, donated by companies, to those who cannot afford them. Thirty per cent have seen an increase in the demand for basic household provisions.
While rising demand from foodbanks has been reported for some time, In Kind Direct’s research suggests that some UK families are struggling to afford a wide range of basic and essential supplies. The basic five items in highest demand are:
- toilet rolls
- nappies
- laundry products
- household cleaning liquid/spray
- shampoo/shower gel.
The charity’s survey findings underpin research published in January by The Joseph Rowntree Foundation which showed that 4.7 million households are living on incomes below the level needed for an adequate standard of living.
Jill Tatman, Centre Manager at YMCA in Llandovery, said:
“We have certainly seen an increase in demand for the everyday essentials that we are able to obtain from In Kind Direct. The issues for people in this area are low incomes and cuts to benefits, alongside a lack of job opportunities with the cost of living rising and rising. This leads to isolation and a hidden depravation that most people visiting the area wouldn’t notice. Products from In Kind Direct make a big difference to some of our clients who are in quite desperate need.”
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Corporate support for In Kind Direct
In Kind Direct CEO Robin Boles commented:
“The need for support from national brands has never been greater and it is inspiring to see what our partner charities are achieving with the goods donated by companies such as Kimberly-Clark, Amazon, Procter & Gamble, Reckitt Benckiser and Colgate Palmolive. Our core message to British companies is: We need more of your products! We have successfully supplied 6,600+ organisations with donated healthcare goods and we can distribute donated stock quickly, safely, efficiently and with full traceability.”
P&G is one company that support In Kind Direct. Irwin Lee, Vice President & Managing Director, P&G UK & Ireland, said :
“UK charities are responsible for amazing work tackling disadvantage and addressing social needs in this country and abroad. It is a source of great pride for our company and our employees that we are able to support this with our products. By donating essential brands such as Pampers, Ariel, and Fairy, we can help transform communities that need most assistance.”
Charities, not-for-profit organisations, social enterprises and community groups can all register to benefit from In Kind Direct‘s service.
About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.