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Pickaway County ‘Soap-n-Hope’ Mobile Hygiene Unit to be Introduced to Community on October 22

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CIRCLEVILLE, OHIO (October 9, 2024) – Pickaway County Community Action Organization (PICCA) will present the Soap-N-Hope mobile hygiene unit to the community at a project launch event on Tuesday, Oct. 22.


The event will begin at 9:30 a.m. at PICCA’s headquarters, 469 E. Ohio St. in Circleville.
“We are so excited to share Soap-n-Hope with the community,” said PICCA Executive Director Becky Hammond. “Several test runs have been successful and well received. We believe it will do so much good for those in need.”

Watch as Nick Pruitt talks about the launch of Soap and Hope


The 32-foot trailer—containing three shower stalls (including a wheelchair-accessible stall) and two stacked washer/dryer machines—will serve the homeless, those in need, and the entire community following severe weather events or when other disasters strike.


It was built by Comforts of Home Inc. of Aurora, Ill., using an $85,000 grant from the city of Circleville’s opioid-settlement fund that was awarded to PICCA last year.
Donations totaling nearly $60,000 to date from local businesses and civic organizations, churches and individuals will be used to build a pole barn to store the unit. PICCA is accepting donations of soap, shampoo, laundry detergent and towels.


For the immediate future, PICCA will park the trailer on its Ohio Street property and schedule appointments for people to use it, Hammond said. Eventually, PICCA plans to take it on the road, providing services at scheduled stops throughout the county.
“Having the ability to bathe and wear clean clothing not only improves personal health and hygiene, it also enhances a person’s self-esteem,” Hammond said. “Soap-N-Hope will enable us to inform those using the service about the many programs we have available to improve their living conditions and get them on a path to self-reliance.”
In addition to securing operating funds and supplies, PICCA also seeks grants and donations to purchase a super-duty pick-up truck to haul the trailer, she said.

Anyone interested in donating supplies or funds, please contact CSBG/Energy Director Nick Pruitt at (740) 477-1655.