Shower Cart makes its debut at Clackamas Service Center

Free hot showers started at Clackamas Service Center this week in a specially made Shower Cart designed to have continuous hot water, with easy-to-clean surfaces and nothing breakable inside.

PDX Cart Builders, a Portland-based manufacturing company that largely builds food carts, built the Shower Cart to reduce the often long lines for showers at local social service providers.

The cart offers showers to people in need who can receive clean underclothes before the shower. They can also receive haircuts and medical services at CSC the same day.

Its especially nice for the medical providers, said Rob Shryock, CSC client support coordinator. Its no fun to treat somebody who hasnt showered in two weeks, and the lack of bathing can cause infections. Just adding showers will make their work much easier.

Hot showers in the cart started Tuesday, April 26 and they will be available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. CSC hopes to expand the hours with more volunteers and funding.