Location: Sacramento (USA)
At a time when basic hygiene has become a growing concern for vulnerable communities, April Foster’s Why We Give Project emerged with a simple yet profound mission: to restore dignity through care. Volunteers came together to assemble CARE hygiene kits filled with essential items for people facing homelessness, unemployment, and the aftermath of natural disasters. What began as a local act of kindness quickly grew into a lifeline for thousands across the Greater Los Angeles area, especially following the devastating wildfires that left many Angelenos displaced and without access to basic care.
The Impact of the Seed Grant
The support from The Pollination Project became a pivotal force in this journey. With a microgrant that funded storage rental for over $100,000 worth of hygiene products, the organization gained the capacity to safely house and rapidly distribute thousands of kits during a time of crisis, impacting over 2,000 people.
“That storage space meant everything,” shared Foster. “It turned what could have been a logistical nightmare into a coordinated act of compassion.”
The TPP grant offered financial relief and, at the same time, it validated the project’s purpose, inspiring new collaborations and helping secure an additional $30,000 FireAidLA grant to expand their reach.
Through this support, Why We Give was able to amplify awareness around hygiene equity, connecting the dots between public health, women’s empowerment, and community resilience.
The Future
One year later, the project continues to evolve through the Love Letter Campaign, where community members write personal notes of encouragement to accompany each hygiene kit, a small gesture with a profound emotional impact. With plans to scale these efforts and deepen partnerships for wellness and recovery, Why We Give is showing how grassroots philanthropy and community-led development can transform care into sustainable action.
“We’ve seen firsthand how something as small as a bar of soap or a kind word can restore hope,” Foster reflected. “That’s the heart of why we give.”
Partnering with TPP has been a deeply meaningful experience. The grant encouraged collaboration, creativity, and community engagement, all of which have strengthened our long-term impact. We’re grateful for TPP’s belief in our mission and for helping us transform care into action for those most in need.
April Foster
April Foster is the founder of Why We Give Project, a grassroots initiative providing hygiene kits and essential items to unhoused and low-income communities across Los Angeles. Moved by the growing homelessness crisis she witnessed daily, April began assembling hygiene kits from her car, later turning that personal act of compassion into a community movement. With experience at organizations like LeadingAge and Black Women for Wellness, she brings deep commitment to women’s health, dignity, and social impact believing that small, consistent acts of care can drive lasting change.
Join The Pollination Project in seeding a global movement of grassroots change. When we invest in passionate local leaders, small acts of generosity blossom into lasting impact. Every dollar you give takes root in communities, growing into sustainable solutions that touch countless lives.
