The WASH Foundation, a global leader in water, sanitation, hygiene, and sustainability, has partnered with CORE and World Central Kitchen to assist efforts to combat the coronavirus in the Navajo Nation. Over 120,000 bars of soap will be distributed to vulnerable families and individuals who are at the greatest risk from the virus. Soapbox, a personal care company that donates one bar of soap for every Soapbox product purchased, is sponsoring the collaboration to get critically needed hygiene supplies to those who are most vulnerable.

“The need for hygiene supplies is significant,” says Sam Stephens, Executive Director, The WASH Foundation. “The soap we provide will be used in emergency kits to serve those who are most at risk of dying from the disease, including the elderly and individuals with pre-existing health conditions.

The Navajo Nation has the most confirmed COVID-19 cases per capita in the United States. More than 40% of all residents there live in poverty, and roughly 33% lack indoor plumbing. In addition, there are only 13 grocery stores spread out across more than 27,000 square miles – an area larger than Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts combined – making access to hygiene extremely challenging both economically and logistically. Progress has been made in recent weeks to make water available for more households, but soap is urgently needed so that families can practice proper hygiene and prevent the spread of the virus.

“Soap is a commodity that should be easily available and accessible to everyone regardless of economic status and we have always felt strongly about that,” says David Simnick, CEO & Co-Founder of Soapbox. “Soapbox is so honored to partner with Clean the World, CORE, and World Central Kitchen to help provide essential hygiene products to the Navajo Nation. Every customer who’s ever purchased a Soapbox product has helped make this donation possible and we look forward to continuing to serve those who need it most.”

About The WASH Foundation

The WASH Foundation is an international development and global health nonprofit operating WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) education programs and emergency relief initiatives targeting vulnerable communities in the United States and around the world. The WASH Foundation is the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in Clean the World’s social enterprise responsible for all soap and hygiene kit distribution both domestically and globally as part of many of its WASH programs. The organization also engages volunteers, donors, and other outcome-focused organizations around the world to support its global health initiatives. Since 2009, The WASH Foundation has served over 12 million individuals in 127 countries. A copy of the official registration and financial information for The WASH Foundation may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by visiting https://www.fdacs.gov/ConsumerServices. For more information, visit us online: https://www.thewashfoundation.org.

About Soapbox

Standing on a soapbox is just a platform, but getting off that soapbox to act creates change fueled by a purpose. In 2010, Soapbox was founded on the mission to empower consumers to change the world through everyday, quality purchases. Every thoughtfully crafted Soapbox product purchased donates a bar of soap to someone in need either here in the USA or abroad. To date, Soapbox has donated more than 10 million bars of soap to those in need, often pairing hygiene education with them as well. Their naturally derived luxe personal care line includes hair color-safe shampoos and conditioners, hair oils, hair mist, hair serum, deep conditioner, hair mask, scalp treatment, nourishing body washes, liquid hand soaps, lotions, bar soaps, bath bombs and hand sanitizers. All products are vegan, paraben-free, cruelty-free, EDTA free, and silicone-free. By hand-selecting the benefit ingredients to include in their products, Soapbox offers hair and personal care that makes you look great, feel great and smell great and all at an affordable price bringing salon quality without the salon price. Soapbox products are made in the USA and sold in stores like Sally Beauty, Rite Aid, Amazon, Meijer, Wegmans and many other chain stores across the United States as well as online on Amazon, Boxed.com and Grove.co. For more information, visit http://www.soapboxsoaps.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

The WASH Foundation:
Sandie Beauchamp
info@cleantheworldfoundation.org
407-574-8353

Soapbox:
Nancy Neill
Pam Stevens Media
nancycpcomm@gmail.com
202-567-1508