Local church provides free mobile showers

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Faith Family Chattanooga Church offered an event on Saturday morning to help those experiencing homelessness in the community.

Local organizations partnered with the church to provide hygiene resources and personal care.

“Personally, I’m so excited to be a part of what’s happening here in Chattanooga. This city has had amazing outreach to people who are experiencing homelessness. For us to get a chance to be a part of that positive effort, is a wonderful thing. And being from Tennessee myself, I love the fact that we can help another one of our cities,” Executive Director and Co-Founder of ShowerUp Paul Schmitz said.

All services offered were free and open to the public. ShowerUp partnered with the church to give mobile showers to those in need.

“ShowerUp really is designed to be a kind of organization that brings hope, dignity, and hopefully some love and relationship to folks who are most in need,” Schmitz said.

The showers are mobile because the organization wants to meet people where they are. 

Chattanooga is the sixth city launching ShowerUp. The organization has already offered over 30,000 showers.

The Restoration Outreach Center participated in the event by offering resources.

Hotdogs, popcorn, and snow cones were provided as a part of the church’s ministry.

“We have ShowerUp, where people can take showers, because they need that. Also, we provide food, drinks, meat, and stuff like that …  we give clothes too as well. So, we’re here in this community and we want to provide a full service as a church in this community and that’s what we’re doing today,” FFCC Pastor Reginald Washington said.

The church helps the public in many ways throughout the year and urges the community to donate and get involved with upcoming ministries.