NGK Spark Plugs USA wanted to help make a difference during their time spent in New Orleans for its first national sales meeting in three years. To kick things off, the meeting started with an ice breaker and team event, where the NGK/NTK team prepared hygiene kits for The Covenant House, a homeless shelter. 

“Hygiene products are one of our greatest needs. Every year, over 800 youth walk through our doors in need of a place to stay and other necessities of life – including basic hygiene items,” said Haley Khoury, development & communications associate, Covenant House New Orleans. “Being able to meet our youths’ immediate needs with such kits makes a big difference for us, especially when we can direct funds that would have been used for these items elsewhere. Additionally, our Outreach team can give the items to folks who are actively living on the streets but either unable or not yet wanting to come to Covenant House. In this way, the kits help us do the most basic parts of our work with people facing homelessness.”

The kits assembled contain items that many of us take for granted. They are comprised of recycled soap and bottled amenities discarded by the hospitality industry and repurposed through the social enterprise, Clean the World. The kits symbolize a fresh start and sustainability.

Through the Clean the World enterprise:

• 63 million soap bars have been distributed

• 6 million Hygiene kits have been assembled

• 23 million pounds of waste have been diverted from landfills 

With the help of NGK/NTK team members, associates assembled 1,350 kits, each with a hand- written, inspirational note to be distributed to those in need.

“Personally, I’ve never seen a team so enthusiastic putting together 1,350 kits in less than an hour,” said Carol Padgett of Accent Orleans, who helped to organize the effort. “The teamwork and enthusiasm were inspirational. NGK Spark Plugs made a difference to the homeless of New Orleans and to those who suffered loss due to Hurricane Ida.”