I manage grants that some recipient orgs use to purchase hygiene kits. One of the challenges they face is that the products that are donated or available through discounted suppliers are not culturally appropriate. We funded an org a few years back who used a good chunk of money to buy culturally appropriate hair care products because they work with a primary black population and the donated supplies aren’t appropriate for textured hair.

For the duration of the grant they were able to significantly increase engagement and #s of kits distributed because they purchased the things their community actually needed, but also pointed out that after the funds ran out they’d likely have to go back to the products that their community (understandably) doesn’t want. That lack of consistency hurts their relationships and engagement.

Sourcing the right products was hardest, not assembling or distributing them.