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PORT RICHEY — Last year's Leadership Pasco class wanted to do something to help the homeless. So they raised $40,000 to build two portable showers to give people a decent place to clean up.
Each trailer includes two showers, a sink and features propane-fueled hot water and air conditioning. The showers have a 200-gallon capacity and are stocked with towels and soap.
But the portable showers have stalled. They've been sitting in project director Kim Bogart's back yard since August because the Homeless Coalition of Pasco County can't afford to buy liability insurance for them.
"They're 100 percent ready to go," Bogart said. "We need to get these out to where people can use them."
The cost: between $2,400 and $2,700 each year. The package includes protection against damage and against a claim if somebody were injured in the shower. Bogart had hoped to include three years worth of coverage as part of last year's project but couldn't raise the money.
"You've got to have that," said Eugene Williams, the county's point man for working with homeless service groups. "Not that I think one of the homeless guys is going to sue us, but you've got to have it."
Coalition officials plan to meet with a representative from the Knights of Columbus today, though that group has only expressed interest in helping the coalition and has not agreed to pay for the liability insurance.
The coalition hopes to attract sponsors by offering magnetic advertisements that would go on the side of the trailer. Suncoast Graphics Factory of Odessa has agreed to put the coalition's logo on the side of the trailer and also would produce the ads.
A hot shower isn't going to immediately bring someone out of homelessness, said the Rev. Dan Campbell, president of the homeless coalition. But it's a key service for people who spend almost all of their time outside.
"It's so bad that we can't hardly stay in the same room," he said. "You physically can't stand it. You can imagine how well they're going to do in a job interview."
Added Bogart: "You can hand out all the clothing you want, but if someone isn't clean, then where do you start?"
The coalition has three locations where it will put the showers: the Rope Center in Hudson, Joining Hands Community Mission in Holiday and the Samaritan Project in Zephyrhills. The group is still seeking locations in Dade City and in Central Pasco.
The showers will stay at each location for a week or two and could also be used during special events that cluster several services for the homeless such as doctors, dentists and barbers.
"It's been very frustrating that we haven't been able to get them out before now," said Campbell, adding that the separate homeless service groups also couldn't afford the insurance.
Bogart said he is confident organizations and businesses will help with costs. "When they realize our predicament, then out of their goodwill, they'll in some measure help us," he said.
Lee Logan can be reached at llogan@sptimes.com or (727) 869-6236.
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