Just as the Sunday service collection during retreats goes to local charities, sometimes that of the Paris Fellowship does, too.

In September, the entirety of the collection went to Mobil’douche which provides a mobile shower service for the homeless. This involves two small RVs that travel around Paris and some of its suburbs, providing those living on the streets with a mobile shower (a third RV has now begun to operate in Avignon). Hygiene products such as shower gel, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and razors are also provided.

The mobile service started in 2012, and, since then, 1,600 people have benefited from it. After using the shower, those who want to are welcome to sit and have coffee with members of the association. As one of Mobil’douche’s volunteers put it, “For those who have a roof over their heads, washing is simple. For these people, it’s an obstacle course.” Although free public baths do exist, not all homeless people use them. Mobil’douche is therefore a useful service that UUFP is happy to support.

For more information and for the full article (in French) on which this is based, see https://www.paris.fr/actualites/mobil-douche-un-service-d-hygiene-pour-les-sans-abris-4542.