CINCINNATI—Procter & Gamble (P&G) Professional, in cooperation with Homewood Suites by Hilton and the National Coalition for the Homeless have combined efforts to donate freshly laundered, hotel-quality sheets to homeless shelters across the United States through their “Mission S.O.F.T.” program. This program provides homeless persons with a way to “Start Out Fresh Today.”
“When people donate to homeless organizations, they typically think of the obvious necessities including clothing, food and toiletries,” says Michael Stoops, acting director of the National Coalition for the Homeless. “Sheets are an often overlooked necessity that many shelters need and want.”
The three organizations kicked off the program during National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (Nov. 12 through Nov. 18) in an effort to educate and promote action and awareness throughout the United States about homelessness. Donations were made in Washington D.C., Boston, Chicago and Seattle.
“There are many people out there who can benefit from the linens the hotel industry takes out of circulation,” says Rebecca Wyatt, senior vice president, brand management, Homewood Suites by Hilton. “Our brand’s core attributes are based on creating a home-like feel and this program offers a way to provide home-like comfort to the 3.5 million Americans who experience homelessness throughout the year.”
The process begins with area hotels donating linens. Those linens are then freshly laundered by local Homewood Suites by Hilton properties with P&G Pro Line On-Premise Laundry products including Tide, Downy and Clorox. P&G and the Homewood Suites by Hilton properties then give the freshly-laundered sheets to a National Coalition for the Homeless affiliated shelter to use as it sees best.
“P&G Professional is proud to work with hotels like Homewood Suites that are always looking for ways to give back to the community,” says J.F. Couture, brand manager of P&G Professional. “‘Mission S.O.F.T.’ allows us to use our collective resources to provide a small comfort to those in need.”
‘Mission S.O.F.T.’ is currently planned for 15 cities including Chicago; Columbus, Ohio; Dallas; Houston; Los Angeles; Philadelphia; Washington, DC; Boston; Cleveland, Ohio; Des Moines, Iowa; Detroit; Jacksonville, Fla.; Seattle; Minneapolis; and Charleston, S.C.
“The plight of those without a home can be both lonely and difficult,” says Michael Stoops, acting director of the National Coalition for the Homeless. “Working in collaboration with P&G Professional and Homewood Suites is another way our organization can begin to dispel the myth that labels homelessness as someone else’s problem.”
Go to P&G, Homewood Suites, National Coalition for the Homeless.
