Merced ministry provides free showers for the homeless. Here’s where and when
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- Love INC offers free hot showers in Merced at Salvation Army Thurs and St. Matthew Sat.
- Volunteers provide towels, soap, clothing options and meals; sessions serve 12–15.
- Love INC seeks donations, prioritizes men’s jeans, belts, tennis shoes, coats, blankets and funds.
There’s much more to a hot shower than just getting clean.
A Merced Christian ministry has been providing free hot showers — and the dignity that comes with them — for the homeless for four years.
Love INC of Greater Merced helps provide the showers at two locations — St. Matthew Baptist Church at 1057 N St. and The Salvation Army Merced Corps Community Center at 1440 W. 12th St.
The shower at Salvation Army is available on Thursdays from 8 to 11 a.m. The shower at St. Matthew Baptist Church is available on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The shower at The Salvation Army averages 12-15 uses per session, according to Julie Belloli, Connections Center coordinator for Love INC of Greater Merced.
The ministry provides soap, a hand towel and a towel for the shower, and provides new underwear, donated clothes, a toiletry bag and a meal.
A dedicated volunteer team helps coordinate the process, Belloli said.
According to a post on Facebook, one homeless person said this after using the shower: “The shower seems like such a small little thing, but it’s huge, makes a big difference. Thank you for what you all do.”
To provide the showers, the ministry accepts donations of money and clothing.
“We’re really in need of men’s clothing,” Belloli said. “We have an overabundance of women’s clothes. We’re in need of men’s jeans, belts and tennis shoes ... also blankets and coats.”
Clothing donations can be dropped off at The Salvation Army on Thursdays from 7:30 to 11 a.m, Belloli said.
Love INC of Greater Merced accepts financial donations at loveincmerced.com/donate. INC is an abbreviation for “In The Name of Christ.”
The shower ministry has been providing the free showers since 2021. It’s grown from one location to two.
Belloli said word of mouth and other resources for the homeless have helped spread the word about the showers.
The ministry will provide special Christmas services this Thursday at the Salvation Army location, Belloli.
This story was originally published December 16, 2025 at 11:58 AM.
