Amazon has partnered with Unilever and Kimberly-Clark to deliver over 100,000 hygiene products to families experiencing poverty across the UK.
Until 16 June, for every two purchases on Amazon.co.uk from a selection of over 500 personal hygiene products, the suppliers of brands including Dove, Simple, Vaseline and Huggies, will donate a third item to the Multibank initiative – a clothes, bedding, baby and hygiene bank – and charity In Kind Direct.
The first Multibank was co-founded by Amazon with former UK prime minister Gordon Brown in Fife, Scotland in 2022, followed by a second in Wigan in 2023 and a third in Swansea earlier this year.
With charity partners, the network of Multibanks have donated more than 2m surplus essentials to help more than 200,000 families experiencing poverty.
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The latest initiative comes as there are 14.5m people living in poverty in the UK, with many unable to adequately feed, clothe or clean themselves, according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Amazon UK head of impact Eugenie Teasley said: “Our goal is to help as many families as possible by connecting surplus essentials from Amazon and other businesses, with those who need it most.”
Unilever general manager for personal care, UK and Ireland, Chris Barron added: “The support that the Multibank initiative and In Kind Direct provide is so important, helping households that are facing hygiene poverty to access the daily products that help people to feel clean and confident.
“We know that together we can do more, so we’re really pleased to be partnering with Amazon and Kimberly-Clark with a shared commitment to get more products to the charities and people that need them most.”
It comes as Tesco has also joined forced with suppliers from well-known household brands such as Andrex, Aquafresh, Bodyform, Radox, Sure and Wilkinson Sword to distribute millions of personal care items to people in need.
Until 11 June, for every two purchases by Tesco customers from a selection of essential hygiene products, its suppliers will donate a third hygiene item directly to In Kind Direct.
