CINCINNATI — On any given night, between 700,000 and 2 million homeless people are left to struggle through the night in the United States, according to estimates from the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty (NLCHP). And given the current economic crisis, it’s a statistic that’s certainly going to garner more attention.
Central Arizona Shelter Services saw some 5,000 homeless individuals walk through its doors in 2007. In one night, the largest shelter in Arizona serves as many as 400 people seeking a clean, safe place to sleep. So naturally, when Procter & Gamble Professional approached the organization with a program that could provide it with hundreds, even thousands, of clean sheets, towels and blankets to better serve its residents, it was quick to accept the offer.START OUT FRESH TODAY
“A gift as simple as soft, clean sheets can have a huge impact on people in need,” says Katia Brown, donor relations manager at Central Arizona Shelter Services. “Big or small, community donations are very much appreciated by our staff and residents. Besides the fact that donations are essential to keeping our shelter on its feet, they are also a nice reminder to our residents that a support system exists for helping get them back on their feet again.”
Homeless shelters throughout the country have echoed similar words of gratitude, thanks to Mission S.O.F.T. (“Start Out Fresh Today”), a philanthropic program developed by P&G Professional more than three years ago.
The company utilizes its national network of hotel properties to extend them an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others by donating their gently used linens.
Hotels in select markets join the cause and combine loads of towels, sheets, blankets, pillows, pillowcases and comforters. The donations are delivered to one hotel where they’re laundered in P&G Professional brands Tide, Downy and Clorox.
“P&G Professional and participating hotels have a strong commitment to giving back to the community,” says Hilary Heffernan, assistant brand manager for P&G Professional. “Mission S.O.F.T. is an innovative way to pull together our strengths and resources for a common and worthwhile cause. Essentially, it gives those without a home the opportunity to enjoy one of life’s simple pleasures — clean, soft towels and sheets.”MORE THAN 38,000 DONATIONS
Mission S.O.F.T. helps the nation’s homeless experience the comforts of home. In many cases, those people are families with children. They represent approximately 23% of the homeless community, making these families one of the fastest growing segments of that population, according to a recently published NLCHP study.
“Mission S.O.F.T. is an extension of P&G’s global Live, Learn, and Thrive philanthropy, because it helps improve life for children in need,” says Debbie Marquardt, marketing director for P&G Professional. “It began as a small idea and grew exponentially. We are proud that Mission S.O.F.T. has touched the lives of more than 200 million children nationwide.”
The cause serves as a gentle reminder to hotels that they have something unique to offer people in their communities. After all, not many organizations are in a position to collectively donate hundreds of linens at one time.
In three years, P&G Professional has partnered with more than 160 lodging properties in 35 different cities throughout the United States. Mission S.O.F.T. has generated more than 38,000 linen donations, which have been shared with almost half a million Americans taking refuge in shelters.
Although most obviously a blessing for the U.S. homeless population and its supporting shelters, Mission S.O.F.T. is also a responsible choice for hoteliers. The program provides them with a viable alternative for throwing away old linens when they’re trying to make room for the new.
“When linens stop looking brand-new, or the hotel changes its décor, they are typically just tossed away,” says Terri Muran, director of housekeeping at Millennium Hotel in Cincinnati. “Mission S.O.F.T. makes it easy to put those linens to good use.”
The Millennium is one example among several hotels that have managed to extend the lifespan of Mission S.O.F.T. in their cities. Months after the program was complete, Muran was still calling the Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless with more linen donations.
“When I was younger, I remember having to go without sometimes,” Muran says. “Knowing we are truly making a difference in our communities through our donations gives us great joy, and we are so happy we have played a part in contributing to the success of Mission S.O.F.T. in Cincinnati.”
Hoteliers can learn more about P&G Professional’s Mission S.O.F.T. program by visiting the company’s website at www.pgpro.com.
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Matt Poe at [email protected].