The YWCA of Olympia OTHER BANK program has provided personal and household hygiene and cleaning supplies to women, men and their families in Thurston, Mason, and Lewis counties since 1986.

The program distributes the following to hundreds of low-income people every week.:

• Tampons
• Sanitary pads
• Toilet paper
• Toothbrushes
• Toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Shampoo
• Bar soap
• Laundry detergent
• Dish soap
• Razors
• Shaving cream
• Condoms
• Dental floss

None of these items can be purchased with food stamps. The YWCA of Olympia is the only agency in the South Puget Sound area that provides a comprehensive distribution of these necessary items.

Each year, THE OTHER BANK provides approximately 15,000 individuals with these hygiene supplies. Over 35% of those we serve are children age 13 and under. The average family uses THE OTHER BANK two to three times, although we allow families to return up to six times per calendar year. Approximately 20% of families who visit THE OTHER BANK have never used our services before.

THE OTHER BANK provides service through chore workers to clients who are disabled, elderly, or otherwise housebound. We serve approximately 40 individuals each month through the use of chore workers or care givers.

33% of OTHER BANK clients receive AFDC support; 17% have low paying jobs that classify them as "working poor;" 31% receive Social Security benefits; and 13% receive no income at all each month, resulting in homelessness. The average monthly income for OTHER BANK client families is approximately $585 per month for a family of four.

 

©2007 YWCA of Olympia, WA. Phone: (360) 352-0593 Email: ywca@ywcaofolympia.org. Site map.