ALGONA — Kossuth/Palo Alto County Economic Development Corporation’s Board of Directors, Career Intern Committee and staff are giving hope to local youth, teens, and adults by collecting personal care items for people in need.

K/PACEDC is asking the public to help with Project Hope.

The main goal of Project Hope is to provide comfort to children and young adults who have been removed from their homes in Kossuth and Palo Alto Counties and no longer have personal health care products for themselves.

The Kossuth and Palo Alto County Boards of Supervisors have proclaimed the weeks of June 22 through July 3 as Project Hope Weeks.

Area residents can participate in Project Hope by donating small personal care items at the K/PACEDC office located at 106 S. Dodge St., Algona.

Inside the building entrance, will be a box labeled Project Hope Drop Off.

K/PACEDC members will then assemble individual packages and deliver them to the Department of Human Services, local schools, the Kossuth and Palo Alto County Law Enforcement Centers, and various places where the donations will be greatly appreciated.

K/PACEDC has collaborated with Dollar General in Emmetsburg, Graettinger, and Swea City to gather items for personal care packages.

Customers at Dollar General will have the opportunity to donate cash for purchasing items for $1.

Suggested items to donate include combs, brushes, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, new towels, deodorant, soap, body wash, baby wash, baby wipes, Q-tips, cotton balls, facial tissue, and razors. Travel-sized items are suggested.

“Project Hope is important to children because it lets them know there are people who care,” said Maureen Elbert, KPACEDC executive director. “Project Hope is one way to give back to our communities. This is a vital community service project that, over the years, has significantly made a difference for those in need. Through all of the donations we have increased our ability to bag and distribute more bags each year.”