Local News

Man converts truck into mobile shower unit for homeless

“If we can get people regularly clean, we can give them some hope"
Shower to the People

Shower to the People

When people want to help the homeless, the obvious first port of call is getting them shelter and food.

But when you’ve been living on the street, you also probably haven’t been able to wash properly for weeks, and this can leave you feeling pretty inhuman.

That’s why American philanthropist Jake Austin decided to create the People’s Mobile Shower Unit in St Louis, U.S.

Converting a van into a special wash pod, Jake can then drive the unit to the people that need it, and they can get cleaned up in privacy.

“People can get food and clothes, but if they haven’t had a shower in three months, they can’t even get a job flipping burgers,” Jake explains.

Related: Kiwi’s campaign to solve New Zealand homelessness

The 31-year-old is a pastor from St Louis, Missouri, who purchased a standard truck for $5,000 US online.

And after transforming it into a mobile washing facility with two showers, changing areas and a row of sinks and mirrors – people can get washed and dried in perfect comfort.

The truck connects to fire hydrants for water, and uses external generators for heating.

Jake can offer around 60 hot showers every single day to those in need.

The pastor and his crew Shower to the People also run Raise the Bar – a service which provides part time employment to people who have previously been homeless. The company make soap which is then distributed for free to people using the mobile shower unit.

Jake told local paper St Louis Post-Dispatch: “If we can get people regularly clean, we can give them some hope. Get some hope in their bones; they can take the next steps. They can keep climbing.”

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