SUMMIT COUNTY, OHIO—County Executive Shapiro recently provided a grant and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funding to Forever R Children, a non-profit serving the Greater Akron area. The organization has held food, clothing and hygiene distributions since 2019 and is set to launch its Mobile Hygiene Unit later this year. The County’s funds will help pay costs for storage and office space and will cover $10,000 in food from the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.
The Mobile Hygiene Unit is a converted METRO bus featuring two showers, two toilets, two changing rooms and a sink. Once operational, it will provide showers, clean clothing, and shoes to support vulnerable residents. The shower bus is expected to provide around 30 showers per day. Other local organizations including Salvation Army, AxessPointe, Akron Children’s Hospital have also pledged support. Forever R Children has secured additional financial and operational support from the cities of Akron and Barberton.
“So many of us take for granted the simple things we have access to each and every day, like a shower. Often, these simple things make the most difference,” said County Executive Shapiro. “I commend Forever R Children for stepping up to fill this important need. Beyond providing a chance to bathe, the Forever R Children team is making sure other critical resources like food, clothing, health care and more will also be available. For some in need, this bus could be their turning point.”
