Hartford – September 08, 2026 -- Dignity Grows distributed thousands of tote bags filled with hygiene essentials across the Greater Hartford community this school year, supplementing traditional backpacks and school supplies with soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, and period products.
The organization partnered with local groups including Templo Fe, The Village for Families & Children, the YMCA in New Britain, and numerous public school districts to get these items to students and families ahead of the new academic year.
Missing hygiene products can keep students out of the classroom
Without consistent access to basic supplies, students may feel uncomfortable or self-conscious, which can affect their ability to attend school and focus on learning. For middle and high school aged girls, a reliable supply of period products can determine whether they attend or stay present at school at all.
A faculty member at Manchester High School said having the hygiene tote bags available for female students "has been an absolute blessing."
The Village for Families & Children calls the partnership instrumental
Hector Glynn, CEO of The Village for Families & Children, said many families struggle to afford personal hygiene items, which can lead to stress and school avoidance. He said the partnership with Dignity Grows helps ensure students can start the school year feeling confident, calling it one way mental health providers can address gaps in the student experience.
The support continues year-round, not just at back-to-school time
This assistance extends throughout the academic year through local school-based partners ranging from elementary schools to college food pantries.
Dignity Grows reaches more than 27,000 residents annually
Each year, Dignity Grows delivers hygiene essentials to more than 27,000 residents in the Greater Hartford region, with school-aged children accounting for 40% of those served. Families receive the assistance free of charge, and the initiative relies entirely on donations from local businesses, civic groups, and private donors.