Local businesses team up to resource mobile shower

PEORIA (25 News Now) - A local organization is partnering with local businesses to help bring mobile resources to the area’s homeless population.

Hygiene. On. Wheels. Independence. Empowered or HOWIE is a mobile truck that allows showers, use of restrooms and laundry. Local organization Phoenix Community Development Services drives HOWIE through the area, offering hygiene for anyone that needs it.

HOWIE first rolled through town a little over a year ago. For many of the homeless population, locating bathrooms, showers and getting laundry done is a daunting task. HOWIE is able to aid in that process. About three or four times a week, HOWIE is parked in locations across Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford and Fulton counties, providing accessibility and a fresh feeling to users.

“It serves the community by helping with the homeless population where they can feel like they are more part of the community instead of being out on the outskirts,” Member of Phoenix Community Development Services Darcy Eberle said.

Starting on Monday, Phoenix is partnering with local businesses like Hy-vee, Eureka College, and Valu Check for the Fill the HOWIE Campaign. Both the Grand Prairie and Canton Hy-vee will open for customers and the community to donate supplies for HOWIE like hats, gloves, water, toiletries and much more. Hy-vee said they were excited to help support HOWIE.

“HOWIE is a great thing because it helps the people that are so much less fortunate than us, help get on their feet and do things better for them,” Hy-Vee Manager Mike Joseph said.

Fill the HOWIE starts will start at Eureka College at 9am. For a list of items, click here.