Essentials First
Flag this Organization: Essentials First for removalEssentials First empowers dignity daily by providing equitable access to personal hygiene essentials and culturally appropriate food assistance. We support vulnerable communities, ensuring everyone has access to life-giving hygiene products and food resources.
For more information, see the Essentials First website.
News related to Essentials First
ACTION ALERT: Tell King County to Fund Hygiene Access for All!
Thousands of King County residents face challenges affording basic hygiene items such as soap, toothpaste, laundry detergent, and menstrual products. The King County Council is currently considering a $50,000 proviso in the 2026-2027 budget to study hygiene poverty and develop data-driven solutio...
WANTED: New and gently used sewing machines
New and gently used sewing machines are urgently needed for the EF Essential Skills program, which supports a growing number of students. This program focuses on skill-building and fostering community connections for refugees, seniors, and individuals facing social isolation. Contributions can be...
Recap: Hygiene Champions Summer Program
This summer, a group of middle and high school students known as the Hygiene Champions organized a community fundraiser to support Essentials First’s mission of providing access to basic hygiene essentials. Over several weeks, these students demonstrated strong leadership through various teams: t...
THANK YOU for $75k donated!
A youth-led fundraiser, part of the EF Hygiene Champions Summer Youth Program, successfully raised over $75,000 to support Essentials First’s mission of providing hygiene access. Gratitude was expressed to all participants, including generous donors, Essentials First Programs and Operations Manag...
New research highlights urgency of hygiene poverty in our communities
New research emphasizes the pressing issue of hygiene poverty in Washington state, as highlighted in the paper “Access to Dignity: Policy and Advocacy Opportunities for Ending Hygiene Poverty.” The study reveals that access to essential hygiene products—such as soap, toothpaste, diapers, menstrua...
*5 SPOTS LEFT* 7/12 EF Outreach Drive
Join the EF Outreach Drive on July 12, 2025, at noon in Pioneer Square, downtown Seattle. This event focuses on community building and aims to distribute hygiene kits and snack bags to unhoused neighbors. There are only five spots left for participants. For inquiries, contact Marryam Ali via email.
EF Redmond new location opens
Essentials First Redmond has relocated to a new address at 16305 NE 87th St., Suite 121A, Redmond, WA 98052, effective July 7, 2025. The distribution location will operate Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. During these hours, community members are invited to walk in and receive essenti...
Protect child support payments to families on TANF - NO on HB 2039
Irene Muller, director of advocacy and outreach for Essentials First, testified before the Washington House Appropriations Committee on April 4, 2025, urging members to reject HB 2039. She highlighted the struggles of low-income families relying on TANF grants, which provide only 8-11% of the nee...
Eid Mubarak & THANK YOU!
Eid Mubarak! Thanks to the generous support of the community, over $91,000 was raised during Ramadan, surpassing the fundraising goal within 30 days. These funds will be reinvested back into the community, emphasizing Ramadan’s spirit of empathy and generosity. This campaign serves as a reminder ...
Ramadan Mubarak! Help raise $70k for essential hygiene
Ramadan Mubarak! Essentials First is launching a fundraising campaign to raise $70,000 for essential hygiene supplies and culturally appropriate food for those in need during Ramadan. Many of the organization’s clients are immigrants and refugees striving for a better life. At the new location in...
Tell Your Lawmakers: Reinstate TANF Time Limit Exemptions!
Essentials First has been advocating for improved access to hygiene and basic needs through the Essential Needs Coalition. This Washington state legislative session, the coalition supports two bills to enhance the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program: HB 1463 and HB 1845. A hear...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Essentials First Remains Committed Amid Federal Funding Uncertainty
Essentials First expresses deep concern over a recently announced federal aid freeze by the White House Office of Management and Budget. This freeze will pause disbursement of federal financial assistance across various programs, creating uncertainty for vulnerable communities. While Social Secur...