UPDATE: In an urgent move to support vulnerable communities, travel writer and TV host Rick Steves has purchased the Lynnwood Hygiene Center in Seattle for $2.25 million. This vital facility, which provides hot showers and meals to the homeless, was facing imminent closure after a property sale.
Last week, community members were astounded to learn about Steves’ commitment to keep the hygiene center open and free for those in need. “I vividly remember what it’s like as a kid backpacking around the world to need a shower,” Steves shared at a gathering on November 1, 2024, where attendees celebrated the purchase with cake, adorned with the words “fait accompli” in red icing.
The Lynnwood Hygiene Center has been a crucial lifeline for the community, operating rent-free since 2020. However, in November, the center’s operators announced it would close due to the property being sold to a developer. Steves, who discovered the center’s plight through a local online newspaper, expressed his shock at learning about a facility dedicated to helping the homeless so close to home.
In Steves’ own words, “I realized, oh my goodness, there’s an invisible community with an invisible center helping invisible people. And it’s not right. It needs to be kept alive.”
The purchase was fueled not only by Steves’ investment but also by community generosity, with an additional $400,000 raised for renovations and expanded services. Sandra Mears, executive director of the Jean Kim Foundation, which runs the hygiene center, emphasized the significant impact of Steves’ intervention. “It’s huge. I didn’t want a goodbye party,” she stated, reflecting on the center’s uncertain future before the acquisition.
Thanks to the combined efforts of Steves and community donors, the Lynnwood Hygiene Center will continue to serve approximately 700 people annually, providing around 16,000 hot meals and 10,000 showers.
While celebrating this positive development, Steves warned against relying solely on private donations for essential services. He highlighted the need for public investment, stating, “If we don’t have [$2.25 million] for a whole county to give homeless people a shower and a place to get out of the rain and a place to wash their clothes, what kind of society are we?”
As the community rallies around the center, the focus shifts to what lies ahead. The ongoing support and renovations will be instrumental in ensuring that this facility remains a beacon of hope for those in need. The Lynnwood Hygiene Center stands as a testament to the power of community and the importance of addressing homelessness, reminding us all of our shared responsibility to care for the most vulnerable among us.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
