# better to give \[where to obtain free toiletry samples for donation\] **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 2, 2011, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-to-give-where-to-obtain-free-toiletry-samples-for-donation/566120 "2011-01-02T05:13:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lady\_g](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f6c823/32.png) [@lady\_g](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lady_g)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2011, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-to-give-where-to-obtain-free-toiletry-samples-for-donation/566120/1 "2011-01-02T05:13:12Z")
my organization wants to give out free sample size tolietries to the homeless any ideas where I can obtain some samples we currently give out clothes and food however, there is no money for tolietries thanks lady g ---
**Author:** ![Schnitte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/schnitte/32/9033_2.png) [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2011, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-to-give-where-to-obtain-free-toiletry-samples-for-donation/566120/2 "2011-01-02T09:59:15Z")
Well, the obvious suggestion would be to contact manufacturers of toiletries and ask them for samples. I’m sure you’ve done that? What did they reply? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2011, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-to-give-where-to-obtain-free-toiletry-samples-for-donation/566120/3 "2011-01-02T16:31:17Z")
Moving to IMHO from GQ. I also edited thread title to indicate subject. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![I\_Am\_The\_Lorax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19adc/32.png) [@I\_Am\_The\_Lorax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Am_The_Lorax)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2011, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-to-give-where-to-obtain-free-toiletry-samples-for-donation/566120/4 "2011-01-02T19:08:03Z")
Hotels/motels? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2011, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-to-give-where-to-obtain-free-toiletry-samples-for-donation/566120/5 "2011-01-02T19:26:01Z")
I don’t know if it would work or not, but have you thought of approaching Walgreens, CVS, Meijer’s, Wal-Mart or other such stores which often are involve in local community programs, and who sell such sample-size items? They may be willing to donate for tax write off, good publicity, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2011, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-to-give-where-to-obtain-free-toiletry-samples-for-donation/566120/6 "2011-01-02T19:28:51Z")
Dermatologists get a lot of samples of lotion, soap, shampoo, and sunscreen. Many of them already do have a way to distribute them to the needy, but you could call some and ask, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-to-give-where-to-obtain-free-toiletry-samples-for-donation/566120/7 "2011-01-03T02:53:21Z")
> [@lady\_g](#): > > my organization wants to give out free sample size toiletries to the homeless any ideas where I can obtain some samples we currently give out clothes and food however, there is no money for toiletries I volunteer at a food bank, so maybe I can help out. First, check to see if any of your local food banks are already doing this. If so, it would be better to cooperate with them than to start your own donation system-the fewer places the needy have to travel to to get supplies, the better. Second, motels and hotels are indeed a good source of toiletry supplies, and they love to help out as long as your group has a good rep in the area. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-to-give-where-to-obtain-free-toiletry-samples-for-donation/566120/8 "2011-01-03T03:58:35Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I don’t know if it would work or not, but have you thought of approaching Walgreens, CVS, Meijer’s, Wal-Mart or other such stores which often are involve in local community programs, and who sell such sample-size items? They may be willing to donate for tax write off, good publicity, etc. Back in the day when I worked for a nonprofit serving Soviet refugees, Walgreens gave us a huge donation of exactly that type. We packaged them in bags with a Russian-language leaflet on American hygiene customs. Let me tell you, during a period when the Soviets were literally rationing soap and laundry detergent, hygiene was one the biggest employment barriers for our clients, and the donations were quite welcome. ---
**Author:** ![ENugent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ENugent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ENugent)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-to-give-where-to-obtain-free-toiletry-samples-for-donation/566120/9 "2011-01-03T18:00:58Z")
I would also ask area dentists if they can contribute toothpaste and/or toothbrushes. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2011, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-to-give-where-to-obtain-free-toiletry-samples-for-donation/566120/10 "2011-01-03T18:37:09Z")
That’s a nice idea, **ENugent.** 🙂 Local churches might be a resource; some of them are heavily involved in social services already. Depending on what city you’re in, it might not hurt to post an ad on Craig’s List. People who travel a lot often amass a collection of shampoos and such, and might be willing to a) look around, come to their senses, and clear out the closet, or possibly b) die, and leave someone else trying to find a way to get rid of them. ---
**Author:** ![Pastachio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Pastachio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pastachio)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2011, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/better-to-give-where-to-obtain-free-toiletry-samples-for-donation/566120/11 "2011-09-01T02:43:28Z")
I am very interested in any toiletries that u may have available for my organization. I am currently located in Fredericksburg Virginia I have a program here n will be happy to give u more information regarding my program and what the toiletries or other donations ( unable to take any finical donations) will be used for thank u so much