#United States #Denver #Colorado #Justice Necessary #HygienePalooza

Justice Necessary Launches HygienePalooza Tour in Colorado

Denver, June 3, 2026 — Justice Necessary has announced the launch of HygienePalooza, a statewide initiative aimed at delivering vital hygiene products to K–12 schools, colleges, and university food pantries across Colorado. This essential program comes at a critical moment when students often face hygiene-related challenges that hinder their educational experiences.

More than just providing food assistance, this initiative highlights a significant gap left by federal nutrition programs such as SNAP and WIC, which are crucial for families struggling to afford the basics. Diane Cushman Neal, Founder and President of Justice Necessary, emphasized the urgency of this issue, stating, “Programs like SNAP and WIC are essential. Yet, students need more than meals to succeed. Many families find themselves making painful decisions, sacrificing hygiene products for food or vice versa.”

Addressing a Hidden Crisis

Recent studies conducted by Justice Necessary shed light on hygiene poverty in Colorado. According to their 2024 report, a staggering 65% of survey respondents admitted to sacrificing hygiene products in favor of purchasing food. Conversely, 52% revealed they cut back on food to cover hygiene essentials. This alarming trend has significant repercussions on students’ well-being and academic performance. For instance, the 2024 Study on Teen Period Poverty indicated that an alarming 80% of Colorado teens missed school due to a lack of access to period products.

Cushman Neal continued, “Access to food is foundational, but for students to thrive, they also need basic hygiene products. Without these, many children miss classes and struggle with low self-confidence.” Thus, HygienePalooza aims not only to stock school pantries but also to ensure students facing hygiene issues can access these basic necessities crucial for their health and dignity.

HygienePalooza: Events and Volunteering Opportunities

The HygienePalooza tour is set to kick off this fall, with scheduled events in four cities across Colorado:

• - September 15th — Grand Junction
• - September 23rd — Ft. Collins
• - October 9th — Pueblo
• - November 5th and 6th — Denver

During these events, volunteers will gather to assemble personalized hygiene kits that will be distributed to local food pantries. This community-driven initiative welcomes participation from individuals and organizations alike. Those unable to attend in person still have opportunities to make a difference through sponsorship, hygiene drives, donations, or simply spreading the word about this important cause.

Justice Necessary: A Commitment to Community Support

Founded in 2021, Justice Necessary is dedicated to tackling issues surrounding hygiene and period poverty across Colorado. The organization has already made significant contributions, distributing over 8 million organic period products, more than 596,681 eco-friendly diapers, and 782,968 household hygiene essentials. Their ongoing efforts include direct distribution, education campaigns, community engagement, and legislative advocacy focused on hygiene security.

As HygienePalooza gears up to change lives in Colorado, those interested in participating or supporting the campaign can visit justicenecessary.org/hygienepalooza for more information. The collective effort of community volunteers working to meet hygiene needs reflects an unwavering commitment to student health and self-esteem—factors essential for success in school and beyond.

Overall, the initiative promises to deliver not just hygiene kits, but dignity and assurance to students—empowering them to participate fully in their education without the worry of hygiene-related issues.