“We love your programs! [Simply the Basics] is removing a huge thorn in our side so we can focus on our clients’ immediate needs!” – Lava Mae Staff

The Mission of Lava Mae is to provide much needed showers to a population struggling to retain a sense of dignity and self-worth, and in doing so, seed a sense of hope and remove obstacles to the pursuit of employment, housing, health, and wellbeing. Lava Mae re-purposes retired transportation buses and transforms the existing resources into vehicles for good.

Lava Mae serves over 4,000 clients annually with a budget of just over $1.5m. According to San Francisco’s 2015 official count, there are 7,500 homeless people in San Francisco, half of whom live unsheltered on the city's streets; yet only 7 bricks and mortar facilities offer them access to showers and toilets. That translates to 16 shower stalls, and about as many toilets, for thousands of homeless San Franciscans.

Clients of Lava May experience real barriers to adequate housing and bathrooms. Lava Mae’s population includes young families, people who are employed but cannot afford rent or save enough to relocate, and a growing number of seniors and LGBT youth.

Simply the Basics is incredibly proud to begin this wonderful partnership with Lava Mae, where we will provide over 500 Basic Needs Hygiene Kits to their clients every month. Each hygiene kit will include the necessary items for proper and healthy cleansing, such as soap, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, razors, feminine hygiene products, and deodorant. In keeping with our own Mission, we also want to provide a dignified experience, so we will include new socks, underwear, towels, and even a pair of slippers in each kit as well.

Lava Mae's most crucial needs are socks, razors, and hand towels or washcloths. Help us reach their basic needs and support this ongoing partnership by making a donation to Simply the Basics or shopping for items on our Amazon Wish-list today!