4 minute read
Showers of Blessings
Story by Dayne Commander| Photos by Johnny Chauvin
When I first heard about the Shower Ministry at First Presbyterian Church in Hammond, I had a very different idea of what it was. I pictured a group of sweet church ladies planning baby and wedding showers for their congregation. But as I soon discovered, this ministry isn’t about party favors and punch bowls—it’s about dignity, compassion, and offering a fresh start, one shower at a time.
Donna Gay Anderson got the idea a few years ago while volunteering at Fourth Presbyterian Church’s shower ministry in Chicago. Like me, she initially thought it was about throwing parties. But as she saw firsthand the impact a simple shower could have, she became inspired to bring the ministry back to Hammond. When she first proposed the idea to the church session, she faced pushback. The church already had showers—remnants from sheltering disaster relief workers after the 2016 flood—but at the time, the need for such a ministry wasn’t recognized.
Then Hurricane Ida hit. Donna Gay herself was without running water for a month, relying on neighbors and relatives for access to a shower. “I became acutely aware of what it is to find a shower if you don’t have immediate access to one,” she told me. That experience fueled her determination, and when she proposed the ministry again, it was endorsed. She partnered with the Northlake Homeless Coalition, an organization with the network to connect them to those in need. What started with servicing two individuals a week has now grown to nearly 20 participants.
“The Shower Ministry is more than just a place to get clean — it’s a sanctuary of kindness, dignity, and hope.”
Every Friday, the Shower Ministry opens its doors to people from all walks of life—children, the elderly, veterans, and more. They provide not just showers, but fresh linens, clean clothes, underclothes, all necessary hygiene items, a hot breakfast, and a snack bag to go. There’s even a small “shop” where guests can pick up hygiene products to take with them. Thanks to the generosity of Neill Corporation, Pull Clip Cafe, and Cate Street Seafood Station in Hammond, Aveda travel-size items and restaurant-quality foods are available to guests.
But the Shower Ministry offers more than just physical care—it nurtures the spirit. The Shower Ministry is sustained by a network of volunteers, both church and non-church members. Volunteers act as concierges while taking the time to listen, to connect, and, if their guests wish, to pray with them. It’s a place where people aren’t just given supplies; they are seen, heard, and valued.
Donna Gay shared numerous stories about the people she has built relationships with through this ministry. One guest became a regular. Eventually, he started showing up early to help with setup. He told Donna, “I feel like people in Hammond hate homeless people, but in this church, y’all are kind. That’s why this is working.” As she recounted this, her voice cracked, tears welling in her eyes. I glanced around the room—everyone was crying.
Donna Gay’s passion is evident, and she’s determined to break the stereotypes surrounding homelessness. She sees firsthand how gracious and kind their guests are and feels deeply fulfilled by serving them. “The best thing in the world would be for this to shut down because we don’t need this anymore,” she said, expressing her ultimate hope that one day, no one in the community will need such services.
The Shower Ministry is more than just a place to get clean—it’s a sanctuary of kindness, dignity, and hope. In a world that can sometimes feel indifferent, First Presbyterian Church is proving that even the simplest gestures can transform lives.
