The Perrigo Company is donating more than 160,000 toothbrushes to Camp Fire West Michigan, the StoreHouse of Community Resources, and Kids Food Basket. Valued at approximately $150,000, the donation will provide healthy oral care tools to those who have limited access to new toothbrushes or who are not performing routine brushing as a result of pandemic shopping challenges, Perrigo said.
According to the ADA, toothbrushes and accompanying devices should be changed at a minimum of every 90 days, especially after illness, Perrigo said. However, not every home in West Michigan can replace their oral care items as often as recommended, the company continued.
“Our research has shown consumers are seeking comfort in controlling what they can during this uncertain time,” said Greg McCormick, senior vice president of global innovation and technology at Perrigo Oral Care.
“Consumers are doing everything they can to ensure the health and wellness of loved ones. We want to mitigate any barrier our community has to the access of clean, fresh oral care products while supporting the organizations working with local families in need,” McCormick said.
As each nonprofit distributes the free toothbrushes through their various programming, Perrigo hopes they will encourage individual oral health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The StoreHouse of Community Resources supports local nonprofits through the distribution of new, durable goods,” said Jessica Johns, cofounder and executive director of the StoreHouse of Community Resources.
“Toothbrush donations such as this allows those charitable organizations to focus their limited resources on promoting stability and independence for at-risk communities,” Johns said.
For optimal health, Perrigo said, brush heads should be replaced at the beginning of an illness and at the end to reduce the likelihood or reinfection and spread throughout a household.
“At Camp Fire West Michigan 4C, we work with childcare providers and families across the region,” said Chana Edmond-Verley, CEO of Camp Fire West Michigan 4C.
“This kind gift not only gives families working hard to make ends meet an added peace of mind, but it also opens the door for conversations to educate and reinforce oral care, something we all know is critical to the overall health and well-being of family members,” Edmond-Verley said.
Perrigo also recommends having additional brush heads available at home for last-minute replacements.
“It is because of partnerships like Perrigo, Kids’ Food Basket is able to help thousands of children and their families during this COVID-19 crisis. Your support feeds hope for the future, and it’s needed now more than ever,” said Bridget Clark Whitney, president and founding CEO of Kids’ Food Basket.
“When things seem the worst, we have the opportunity to be our best. Having healthy food is a right, not a privilege, for every child. We have believed this all along, and in this time of pandemic, we’re feeling it deeply,” Clark Whitney said.
Related Articles
Online Auction Raises $30,000 for America’s ToothFairy
Video Premiere Celebrates Decade of Community Collaboration
Study to Examine Effectiveness of School Toothbrushing Program
