For the Antigo Times

The annual “Help for the Homeless Hygiene Drive” kicked off in Langlade County on February 19th and will continue to run through March 12th. During this time, Antigo will join 13 Wisconsin communities from Rhinelander to Manitowoc in collecting personal care items and cleaning supplies for individuals and families displaced by homelessness.

This is an important resource for local communities as these items are not covered by the Wisconsin Foodshare Program and sometimes cannot be afforded with other expenses. The drive is sponsored by 88.5 The Family radio station and last year involved 71 employers, churches, and schools in the Northern Wisconsin region to collect over $14,000 worth of products.

AVAIL, Inc. coordinates the drive locally with all products collected remaining in Langlade County for distribution throughout the year.

“We are excited to be a part of this project again in 2017,” stated Michelle Arrowood, Executive Director of AVAIL. “Please stop by our collection boxes at Dollar Tree, Goodwill, Walgreen’s Pharmacy, BMO Harris Bank, or the Antigo Middle School to make a donation. A bottle of shampoo, a tube of toothpaste, or some sorely needed cleaning supplies for a new home can mean so much to the people that we serve each day.”

For more information on the Help for the Homeless Drive, contact AVAIL at (715) 623-5177 or visit their website at www.availinc.org.