FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | February 17, 2019

FREE MEAL AND HAIR CUT: WHOLESOME HOUSE GRAND OPENING

Johnson City, TN—Wholesome House is celebrating their grand opening by partnering with
Wilson’s Barber Shop of Elizabethton and offering free haircuts. Wholesome House is a new
non-profit organization located in Johnson City concentrating on helping those in need.
Wholesome House is a safe, warm place offering three hot meals a day, clean bathrooms, and
necessity items to whoever needs them. On the day of their opening, March 9th, they are offering
free haircuts, three meals and a Necessity Basket to everyone who visits. Thanks to donations
from Rogersville Cosmetic and Family Dentistry, the Necessity Basket will include a toothbrush,
toothpaste and antiseptic mouthwash. Thanks to other local donations, the Necessity Basket will
also include bar soap, shampoo, nail clippers, canned food and bottled water.
“Our mission is simple: we want to help those in need. Whether it’s the homeless, single parents,
family struct by tragedy, or someone else who just needs a little help. Hopefully, this start of
offering free haircuts could really benefit someone. Perhaps helping someone look more
presentable will help them obtain a job. Maybe a parent who can’t afford to get their child’s
haircut professionally will bring in their child for a proper cut. Whatever the circumstance, this
seemingly small act of kindness is a big help to the community,” says Wholesome House
founder.
Additionally, Wholesome House plans to operate Tuesday-Saturday at first, but eventually
would like to operate every day of the week. Thanks to partnering with Appalachian Regional
Coalition on Homelessness, many volunteers have already signed up to help clean and cook, but
more volunteers are needed for the following days.
According to www.datausa.io, Johnson City has a 22.3% poverty rate. This is nearly a quarter of
the population. Additionally, www.wjhl.com says that all homeless shelters in the area are near
capacity. Wholesome House wants to work towards becoming a shelter, although at first, they
are simply a place to eat, relax, shower, get necessity items and on March 9th, get a free haircut.
“We want to look out for those in the community better. A quarter of our own population is in
need. It is crucial to support organization like ARCH or Wholesome House,” says Johnson City
mayor, Ralph Van Brocklin.
Wholesome House is asking for any and all donations from anyone willing to lend a helping
hand. They have an Amazon wish list to make donating items easy, you can find them by
searching Wholesome House Organization. Their largest request is canned, salvageable foods,
bottled water, soap, cleaning products, blankets and coats. You can drop off all donations at their
building location at 123 Street, Johnson City.
“Wholesome House is a great organization and I’m happy to be a part of their grand opening,”
says Wilson’s Barber Shop owner Seth Babb. “Come get your hair cut by me and my crew if you
need it on March 9th, and if you don’t need it, tell somebody who does!”
Join with many volunteers and make a difference at Wholesome House, donate on their website
and spread the news to someone in need. Wholesome House launches their grand opening on
March 9th, 2019 at noon with free hair cuts and a meal.
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Contact:
Kirsten Litz
East Tennessee State University
litzkn@etsu.edu