Imagine not being able to afford basic household items for you and your children like hand soap, shampoo or lotion. These are things every family needs to stay healthy, just as they need food and shelter. But while there are several programs, both government and nonprofit, that assist the poor in getting the food and housing they need, there are very few programs that help them get access to the most basic personal hygiene items.

The lack of these basic necessities impacts low income families in unimaginable ways. A student that goes to school feeling unclean cannot focus on their studies, a veteran who can't afford soap can’t go into a job interview with confidence.

As an employee at Bath & Body Works, I have seen thousands of dollars of tested and slightly damaged products needlessly thrown away. These products are perfectly good, perfectly usable. I love working for this company, and I know it can do better for its clients and our surrounding community.

Please join me in asking Nick Coe, CEO of Bath and Body Works, to discontinue the wasteful practice of throwing out slightly damaged or “tested” B&BW products, and donate them to local charities around the United States instead. Every family deserves the dignity that comes with meeting their basic hygiene needs.

There are many families who are struggling right now with the decision whether to buy a loaf of bread or a bar of soap. A study conducted by Feeding America suggests that 58% of low-income individuals who were unable to buy personal care products reported cutting back on food to afford toiletries; 40% reported skipping or delaying rent payments to obtain products. This causes untold strain on them.

There are thousands, if not millions of people that could benefit from these nearly-full bottles of hand soap, shampoo, body lotion, etc. If each B&BW store put together boxes for their local homeless shelters, safe houses, churches, or just someone in need, think about the good we could do. Think of the lives we could impact.

Please sign this petition to help change the mind of the company I love and do something good for those who need it most.