TEMECULA, Calif. – (Oct. 22, 2018) – One ply or two. Single roll or double. Whichever way one prefers his or her toilet paper, it’s hard to argue that it isn’t a necessity. But have you ever thought about what happens to the rolls of toilet paper after you leave a hotel room? Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. saves all of its partially unused rolls of toilet paper that become too low for hotel rooms and regularly distributes the rolls to organizations that assist the region’s underserved.
On Friday, Oct. 19, Pechanga volunteers drove an especially large donation of toilet paper, facial tissue, gently used blankets and even bedroom slippers to Murrieta where they were distributed to clients of Project T.O.U.C.H. Pechanga volunteers estimated there to be 1,500 rolls packed into a 15-passenger van that had all of its seats removed. Recipients helped unload the gigantic bags, some overflowing with toilet tissue, from the van. Project T.O.U.C.H. clients then loaded up their own take-home bags with toilet paper, as well as non-perishable foods and toys donated by other groups.
Watch video of the TP Donation.
“We are always looking for ways to be more environmentally conscious and for ways to help communities in need,” said Jared Munoa, President of the Pechanga Development Corporation. “These donations make it so that folks facing challenges don’t need to choose between food, medicine, or household necessities – all while making good use of resources.”
“People may take toilet paper for granted but in our program, there are many of our clients on very fixed incomes and on food stamps, and many people don’t know you cannot buy toilet paper or any kind of hygiene products with food stamps,” said Anne Unmacht, director of Project T.O.U.C.H. “Toilet paper is like gold for us. For us to be able to bless our clients with this donation and throughout the year, is more valuable than you could ever know.”
Assistance organizations say the unique donation provides the less fortunate another way to better absorb their budgets. Toilet paper can be expensive, according to Madehow.com. The average person uses one to two full rolls per week. At $1.00 a roll, that’s $104 worth of toilet paper a year. For a family of four, that unfurls to $416.
Each year, Pechanga Resort Casino donates more than 20,000 partially unused toilet paper rolls. Donations also get distributed to the Bread of Life Rescue Mission in Oceanside, Calif.