Most of us start the day without thinking twice about a hot shower or a clean shirt. For neighbors experiencing homelessness in Athens, those simple things can be out of reach for days or even weeks at a time. At The Sparrow’s Nest, we believe meeting that need is about far more than hygiene. It is about dignity.
What Holy Suds offers
Our Holy Suds Ministry provides free showers and laundry services every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 745 Prince Avenue. Guests can get clean, wash their clothes, and leave feeling refreshed and ready to face the day.
Since 2015, we have provided more than 28,600 free showers and washed more than 20,700 loads of laundry. Every one of those numbers represents a real person who walked out our doors feeling a little more like themselves.
Why it matters
A shower is often the first step toward something bigger. It is hard to walk into a job interview, a doctor’s appointment, or a government office when you have not been able to get clean. Something as simple as fresh clothes can give a person the confidence to take that next step.
But Holy Suds is not only about getting clean. While guests wait, volunteers share devotions and simply talk with them. For someone who often feels invisible, being greeted by name and listened to can mean everything. Those conversations build trust, and trust is the doorway to hope and transformation.
Pairing with the Clothes Closet
Many guests visit our Clothes Closet on the same day. We give away more than 2,000 pounds of free clothing each month, and we have served more than 39,000 clients through the Closet since 2015. A shower, a clean change of clothes, and a hot meal from Food for Friends can turn a hard day into a hopeful one.
How you can help
- Donate hygiene items: Travel-size soap, shampoo, deodorant, and toothpaste are always needed.
- Donate laundry supplies: Detergent and dryer sheets keep the machines running.
- Volunteer: Help run the showers and laundry, or simply be a friendly face and a listening ear.
- Give online: Financial gifts help cover water, utilities, and equipment repairs.
Donations can be dropped off Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. Questions? Call us at 706-549-6693 or email info@sparrowsnestathens.org.
“Even the sparrow has found a home.” Psalm 84:3
