APRIL 5, 2011 – Soap and shampoo, toilet paper and toothpaste: For many families in eastern Missouri, these items are luxuries. Personal care items and paper products cannot be purchased with food stamps.

Local Girl Scouts aim to help those in need by collecting more than one million personal care items during Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri's 14th annual April Showers Personal Care Item Drive.

For three days – April 8, 9 and 10 – Girl Scout troops will deliver green April Showers bags to area homes. On Saturday, April 16, Girl Scouts will return to collect the bags filled with new, unused personal care items.

Needed items include soap, shampoo, deodorant, toilet paper, facial tissue, toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, feminine hygiene products, disposable diapers, baby wipes and first aid supplies.

"Personal care items are important for cleanliness and good health as well as positive self-esteem and a sense of well being," said Donna K. Martin, CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri. "Through this extraordinary community service project, Girl Scouts and our generous community members help supply critical items for local families in need."

Operation Food Search, along with more than 100 community agencies, will distribute the personal care items throughout the Girl Scout council's jurisdiction.

"The need for personal care items continues to be great," said Sunny Schaefer, Executive Director of Operation Food Search. "Missouri food pantries are reporting a 20-30 percent increase in demand for their services, with most of that increase from families visiting a food pantry for the first time. We truly appreciate the Girl Scouts' commitment to helping so many people in need."

To support this effort, Schnucks Markets will offer $10 pre-packaged bags of personal care items for sale in their 54 stores. Those who miss the April 16 collection day or wish to contribute additional items may deliver these to any Dierbergs Market in Missouri April 14-May 7.

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