By Charlene Macaulay
A long, hot shower is a luxury most of us take for granted.
The Salvation Army’s Wyndham City branch is calling on locals to give generously so those less fortunate also have a chance to wash off their day.
The Salvos have had a mobile shower on loan from One Voice Australia for the past four years, and now the unit is for sale for $40,000.
The unit has two en suite shower rooms and a room for clothing, towels and toiletries to be stored.
Captain Kim Haworth said the unit provides on average between 20-35 hot showers a week to rough sleepers.
“We see the difference that having a hot shower, clean clothes, something to eat and a warm place to be provides for people who are doing it really tough in our community,” she said.
“This is a vital service to Wyndham – and the need in the community is dramatically increasing.”
She’s rallying the community to help the Salvos buy the shower. She said there was also scope to install a washing machine and dryer in the unit.
The Wyndham City branch helps locals experiencing homelessness by providing showers, hot meals, clothes washing and drying facilities, material aid emergency relief, access to social groups and programs and a safe place to be during the day.
Ms Haworth said the Salvos had helped 1378 Wyndham families in need in the 2017-18 year, giving out more than $381,000 in emergency relief. That was an increase of more than $100,000 on the previous financial year.
To donate, go to bit.ly/2MfNeKP
