BELLEVUE, WA — AAA Washington is kicking off its annual toiletry donation drive for a 14th year, collecting supplies for ten charities around Puget Sound. “Soap for Hope” is looking for community members to drop off unopened hygiene items at AAA locations s in Bellevue, Lynnwood, Issaquah, Seattle and Southcenter.

“Some of our neighbors are really struggling right now,” said Jennifer Cook, a senior manager at AAA Washington. “AAA’s Soap for Hope drive stocks supplies of important items at local charities so that people don’t have to choose between hygiene and putting food on the table. “Having access to these items can boost confidence for a job interview or for children going to school.”

Here are some of the items they need:

• Soap and body wash.
• Shampoo.
• Conditioner.
• Lotion.
• Deodorant.
• Toothbrushes.
• Toothpaste.
• Dental floss.
• Shaving cream.
• Razors.
• Brushes and combs for all hair types.
• Menstrual pads and tampons for all body types.
• Hand sanitizer.
• Sanitizing wipes.
• Packages of disposable gloves.
• Packages of face masks (no handmade masks, please).

AAA has helped distribute nearly 1.5 million items to charities in Washington and Idaho since “Soap for Hope” began in 2008. The drive officially runs between Nov. 1 and Dec. 30, but dropoffs are welcome year-round.

In Bellevue, this season’s donations will benefit several organizations including Hopelink and the Mercer Island Food Pantry.

Here’s where to donate around King County:

• Alderwood AAA Cruise & Travel store, benefitting Lynnwood Food Bank and Whidbey Island Nourishes.
• Bellevue AAA Cruise & Travel store, benefiting Hopelink, Mercer Island Food Pantry and REST.
• Bellevue corporate office, benefitting Acres of Diamonds, Sound.
• Issaquah AAA Cruise & Travel store, benefitting Issaquah Food & Clothing Bank.
• Seattle AAA Cruise & Travel store, benefitting Queen Anne Food Bank.
• Southcenter AAA Cruise & Travel store benefitting Mary’s Place Burien

Learn more about the donation drive on AAA’s website.