“Did you get your hair cut?”
“Yes. All of them.”
But for some — the frightening number of homeless in our city — the cost of a haircut is no laughing matter. They’re another unnecessary expense, another roadblock to the grocery store or the pharmacy.
On Monday, Oct. 12, when a group of six hairstylists from Exhale Salon and Day Spa sponsored a free cut-a-thon, more than 30 people — some of them homeless — from Full Gospel Mission/Mission of Hope on Central Avenue waited in line.
One of those who took advantage of the free service was Chuck Perry, 48, of Middletown.
Perry, released from jail in January after a nine-month sentence for breaking and entering, can’t land a job. His nights are spent in abandoned buildings, of which, unfortunately, this city has too many.
“It’s rough out there,” Perry said. “What can you do?”
Thankfully there are day shelters like Full Gospel Mission, businesses like Exhale, 1300 Cincinnati-Dayton Road, and organizations like Warriors for Christ, a Franklin-based motorcycle group that provided lunch Monday.
Pastor Jody Tallent opened Full Gospel in May 2009, and, each month since, the shelter has served more meals, averaging more than 2,000 now. The shelter, 1372 Central Ave., holds church every Saturday and Sunday and serves meals seven days a week.
On Monday, it may have been the only barbershop that served hot dogs, potato chips and cake with a Bible as reading material.
“This is a tremendous help to the homeless,” Tallent said of the free haircuts. “You can see the joy in their eyes. Their faces light up.”
Added stylist Jody Cole: “This shows that people still care. It doesn’t take a lot to make people happy.”
Just ask Perry. “I feel good,” he said.
A few minutes later, Perry, fresh from his haircut, walked back into the dining room for a free lunch. Finding his next home would have to wait.
What: Snow Ball 2010
When: 6 p.m. Feb. 13, 2010
Where: Manchester Inn
How much: $60 for a single, $100 for a couple
why: Proceeds will benefit three charities: Full Gospel Mission, Sammi Morris Fund and March of Dimes.
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