Procter & Gamble Professional Mission S.O.F.T.  

Questions and Answers

1.   Why did P&G decide to start Mission SOFT?
P&G Professional implemented the program because for decades, Tide, Downy, and Clorox have been used in consumers’ homes.  When the same brands were introduced in a business setting like hotels, people started commenting on the “home like” feeling and smell of the linens.  P&G Professional wanted to share this home-like feel and smell with people who have lost their homes.

2. What is Mission SOFT and how does it work?
Mission SOFT is a Procter & Gamble Professional program in which we secure donations of gently used linens from hotels, launder them in Tide, Downy, and Clorox, and then give them to homeless shelters in various cities across the United States.  The overall goal is to help improve the lives of those in need and help people experience the feeling of soft, clean sheets, which is something most of us take for granted.

3. How much money goes into supporting the program? 
As a matter of policy P&G does not release budget numbers. But, obviously this is a significant investment for P&G Professional in terms of personnel who facilitate the program and the Tide, Downy, and Clorox donated by the company. However the real value we focus on are the people we serve and those who benefit from Mission SOFT.

4. What are some figures that reflect the results of the program?
Since it began in 2005, Mission SOFT has reached 35 cities, serving more than a half million people, including more than 200,000 children.  P&G Professional has donated more than 38,000 linens to hundreds of homeless shelters.

One of our most successful Mission SOFT efforts is currently underway in Louisville, Kentucky.  Six hotels have recently donated about 1,300 linens, which are being laundered with Tide, Downy, and Clorox.  These linens will then be donated to the Louisville Homeless Coalition for 65 homeless shelters throughout the Louisville area.

5. How does the program fit with the corporation’s philosophy? Why is this program important to P&G Professional?
Mission SOFT is part of P&G’s global Live, Learn, and Thrive philanthropy.  Our company culture is to look for opportunities to extend a home-like feel to families in crisis, where comfort can bring healing, and that is exactly what Mission SOFT does.

6. Talk about the current economy and how that has affected homelessness.  Has the program benefited more people?
Families with children are one of the fastest growing segments of the homeless population and currently make up about 40 percent of the homeless community nationally.

In addition, the request for emergency shelter by homeless families alone has increased by 5 percent in the past year, as the economy takes a toll on families across the U.S.

The shelters we work with keep us informed about the pressures they are under and they have reinforced the need for Mission SOFT. 

7. What does Mission SOFT stand for?
Mission SOFT stands for “Start Out Fresh Today”.  Linens laundered in Tide, Downy, and Clorox help those less fortunate do that.

8. Does P&G support Mission SOFT alone or are there partners that help fund it, etc?
P&G Professional sponsors Mission SOFT, but it would not be possible without the support of hotels and lodging associations across the country who help make the program a success.