Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Meghan Freebeck. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Meghan, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about your organization and how it provides services to the underserved?
Simply the Basics plays a vital role in addressing the needs of the underserved by focusing on the provision of basic hygiene necessities. We support people that are low income, experiencing homelessness, those impacted by natural disaster or escaping war-torn countries. By supplying individuals in vulnerable communities with essential hygiene items such as soap, toothpaste, and sanitary products, the organization not only meets immediate needs but also significantly contributes to demonstrable health impacts.
Hygiene is not included in any social service benefits and yet, it directly correlates with a person’s health and well-being in addition to the health and safety of a community in disease and virus prevention.
Access to proper hygiene is fundamental to preventing the spread of infectious diseases, promoting overall well-being, and bolstering public health. Maintaining good personal hygiene reduces the risk of illnesses, including skin infections, respiratory issues, and oral health problems. Additionally, the positive health outcomes extend beyond the individual, creating a ripple effect that contributes to healthier communities at large.
Simply the Basics’ commitment to ensuring everyone has access to these fundamental hygiene resources aligns with the broader public health goal of fostering conditions that enable individuals, regardless of their socioeconomic status, to lead healthy and dignified lives.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and tell us about your inspiration for founding Simply the Basics?
I founded Simply the Basics in 2015, formally launching in 2016 after a year of extensive research and data collection on the hygiene needs of the community. However, I have professionally worked with people experiencing homelessness and those facing mental health and crisis struggles for 15 years.
The original inspiration for the program came during my time as Deputy Director of San Francisco Suicide Prevention. While working at the crisis center, it became clear to me how difficult it was for anyone to focus on their greater goals, including in dealing with a crisis, if they do not even have their basic needs met.
I am very proud that Simply the Basics is the first and only internationally reaching hygiene bank. More than that, we stand out as a unique hygiene service provider because we don’t simply hand out supplies – we truly believe in ensuring people have the products that they most directly and uniquely need to improve health and wellness. Choice is crucial to us, not everyone can use the same time of shampoo or skin care, and that is an important part of our services.
We also are the host of the Hygiene Bank Association. The Simply the Basics Hygiene Bank Association™ is the FIRST system in the world to establish Quality Control Standards for free hygiene distribution services, to connect existing hygiene banks and programs to one another, and provide the tools needed to be successful in equitably improving public health through hygiene access.
Simply the Basics’ Hygiene Bank Association™ is a Membership Platform for eligible hygiene services to strengthen their programs, improve operations, and further their impact on health and wellness.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
My philosophy on program leadership and decision making has been profoundly shaped by learning from and listening to individuals with lived experiences, especially those who have faced hardships. Recognizing that those who have navigated challenges possess invaluable insights, I prioritize listening to and learning from their perspectives.
People who have firsthand experience with adversity are uniquely positioned to articulate their needs, providing nuanced and authentic insights that guide the development of effective and empathetic programs. Their narratives inform not only the initiatives but also the strategies for implementation, ensuring that programs are not only well-intentioned but also genuinely responsive to the diverse needs of the communities they serve.
Embracing the wisdom derived from lived experiences has become the cornerstone of my approach, fostering a more inclusive, compassionate, and impactful framework for program development and implementation.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
As the pandemic unfolded, our organization faced the imperative to swiftly pivot its strategy to address the unprecedented challenges at hand. In a time when societal needs were escalating, particularly for those most vulnerable, we recognized the urgency to strengthen and expand our services.
While the prevailing trend saw organizations closing their doors, we embarked on a mission to broaden our reach. The focal point of our revised strategy became the provision of essential PPE supplies to both individuals in need and those dedicated to serving them.
We were in a unique position where we were already connected deeply to service providers and partnerships and we also had a large amount of PPE supplies in storage for just such an occasion. For one of the first times since our inception, when I would say “hygiene health is public health” – people believed me!
This shift underscored our commitment to adapt and meet the evolving demands of the community, ensuring that even in the face of adversity, our organization played a crucial role in safeguarding public health and providing support where it was needed the most.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.simplythebasics.org
- Instagram: @simplythebasics
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SimplyTheBasics/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simply-the-basics/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2R94kIU29UAn1wiIjGpCfg