Soap-n-Hope Dedicated

Mayor Blanton christens the Mobile Hygiene Unit with Soap

By Jeff Phillips

Pickaway County Community Action on Tuesday, Oct. 22 dedicated its Soap-n-Hope Mobile Hygiene unit. Built using an $85,000 grant from the City of Circleville’s opioid-settlement fund, Mayor Michelle Blanton used a bottle of shampoo to christen the 32-foot trailer that offers shower and laundry services to the homeless and people in need. Prior to the christening, PICCA Executive Director Becky Hammond thanked the city and other major donors who helped raise an additional $60,000, including the Circleville Sunrise Rotary Club, Cargill Corp., and several individual donors. She also thanked PICCA staff who worked on the project and are managing unit operations. The additional funds raised will help build a pole barn on PICCA property to store the unit. Soap-n-Hope will continue operating Tuesdays and Thursdays at PICCA’s East Ohio Street property for the remainder of this year into 2025. PICCA ultimately wants to take Soap-n-Hope on the road to provide services across the county.

Community organizations and individuals who wish to donate money or bathing or laundry supplies to the Soap-n-Hope project are asked to contact Hammond at (740) 477-1655. PICCA is a nonprofit organization, meaning donations are tax deductible.