A community-wide hygiene drive is underway in Downtown Long Beach to help provide critical personal care items to unhoused individuals in the area. The Downtown Long Beach Alliance (DTLB Alliance) has officially kicked off its annual Fresh Start campaign, which will run through June 30.
“As economic pressures and housing instability persist across the region, Fresh Start offers a meaningful way for residents, businesses, and visitors to take action,” said Austin Metoyer, president and CEO of the DTLB Alliance, in a public statement.
The initiative invites community members to donate essential hygiene items, with collection bins placed at multiple downtown businesses. The donated goods will be distributed by several local nonprofit partners, including the Long Beach Rescue Mission, Mental Health America of Los Angeles (MHALA), CSULB Beach Pantry and Long Beach City College’s Viking Vault. These organizations support unhoused and low-income individuals by providing showers, meals, job assistance and transitional housing.
“Our Clean and Safe team works daily to make Downtown more welcoming and accessible for everyone — and that includes our unhoused neighbors,” said Juan Torres, Operations Manager at the DTLB Alliance, in a public statement. “Fresh Start is more than a donation drive. It’s a community effort that helps us build trust, meet people’s basic needs, and serve as a bridge to long-term services that can change lives.”
By turning local businesses into drop-off points, the campaign aims to make it easier for the public to contribute to the ongoing needs of vulnerable populations while also strengthening the network of support services in the city.
Current drop-off sites include:
- ISM Brewing – 210 E Third St., Unit A
- Modica’s Deli – 455 E Ocean Blvd.
- Hyatt Centric – 285 Bay St.
- Courtyard by Marriott – 500 E First S.t
- Hyatt Regency – 200 S Pine Ave.
- DTLB Alliance Offices – 100 W. Broadway, Suite 235
Additional locations are expected to be added during the campaign.
Items in high demand include new, unopened toiletries such as soap, shampoo, deodorant, menstrual hygiene products, toothbrushes and socks. Donations will be collected on a rolling basis and shared with service agencies to ensure they reach those in need quickly and effectively.
Fresh Start is part of the DTLB Alliance’s broader efforts to enhance public safety and support community wellness through cooperative outreach. For more information about the campaign, including an updated list of accepted items and drop-off locations, visit downtownlongbeach.org/freshstart.
