Feeling clean and looking good just got easier for a number of people in Waldo County.

Waldo County General Hospital, Bangor Savings Bank, and a number of other local businesses have collected more than 500 pounds of items used to aid hygiene and cleanliness.

The items, including toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorants, soaps, laundry soap, hairbrushes, combs and hair accessories, have been delivered to the newly formed Soap Closet. In turn, Soap Closet staffers will deliver them to local food pantries, schools and other agencies that help people in need.

The goal of the Soap Closet is to provide items that help adults and children have the opportunity to feel good when they go to school or work. Most food pantries are only able to provide food, and food stamps do not cover many items needed for good hygiene and cleanliness.

Locations where donations were collected, besides the hospital and Bangor Savings Bank, are Mathews Bros., Hamilton Marine, Searsport Town Office, New Wave Salon, Belfast Coop, Belfast City Hall, Weaver’s Bakery, The Good Table, The Uppercut, Out of the Woods, Traci’s Diner, Belfast Pediatrics and Rollie’s Bar and Grill.