SHOWER MINISTRY

Every Tuesday, 9am to Noon, our under-served neighbors have the opportunity to take a warm shower, and receive a complete set of fresh, clean clothes - jeans, shirts, socks, and new underwear along with their shower. In addition, we provide coffee and some snacks for those that are waiting for showers.

We provide our homeless neighbors with a safe non-judgmental place to relax and have a cup of coffee. A place where they are treated with dignity, respect, and love.  The great success of this Ministry means that our needs are growing each week. We have been blessed by having others from the community to join with us in serving “the least of these brothers and sisters.” 

Get Involved

About ten volunteers are needed each week (from 8:30am - 12:30pm) to run Shower Ministry. Volunteer jobs range from greeting and signing in those who come for showers, sitting in the waiting area and visiting with them, handing out various resources and supplies, and building relationships with these neighbors to find out what they need. If you are interested in becoming involved in Shower Ministry, please contact Sally Carder (501) 282-2812 or Kathy Randel: krandel@stlukeshs.org or call (501) 623-1653 ext. 20.

How the Shower Ministry Came to Be

With all the water around the Hot Springs area, it seems inconceivable that there are men, women and children who have no access to clean water in which to bath, but that is a reality for many.  For those who are drastically under-resourced, those living in poverty on the streets, going for weeks, months or longer without bathing is one of life’s most cruel indignities.

As a result of the need identified above, our Church, through grants and donations, remodeled an old boiler room and two bathrooms, installing two showers and creating a clothing closet.  We purchased and installed a dryer, washing machine and tank-less hot water heater. Church and Community members donated toiletries, clothes, washcloths, towels and the necessary funds to begin our Shower Ministry. A team of Church members volunteered to staff this ministry. In August of 2018, we provided our first shower day. 

Since beginning this ministry, we provide an average of 20 showers every Tuesday. We also help our neighbors to connect with case workers from other agencies as resources to assist them in finding housing, jobs, medical assistance, and medications and to help them replace stolen or lost identification cards, birth certificates, social security cards etc.