Laundry Love
The national Laundry Love movement began in Ventura, CA when some Episcopal parishioners asked “T-Bone,” a homeless gentleman, “How can we come alongside your life in a way that would matter?” His response was honest and practical: “If I had clean clothes I think people would treat me like a human being.”
In early 2015 some participants of the Sunday afternoon worship service “Come and See” established Saint Philip’s Laundry Love outreach ministry. Northgate Laundromat was selected as the parish’s partner and Laundry Love began on April 8, 2015.
For five years, laundry sessions were held on the second Wednesday evening of every month. On-site volunteers placed quarters in the washers and dryers, and supplied laundry detergent and dryer sheets. March 11, 2020 was a typical laundry session when it occurred.
The number of Laundry Love clients per session ranged from 25-62 but averaged 40 (not counting spouses, friends, and the occasional dog) over a 3 ½ hour period; the number of wash loads was 1-3 per client. Participants remained in and around the facility for an average of 90 minutes.
COVID-19 rendered this situation unsafe for clients, Laundry Love volunteers, and the laundromat staff, so March 11, 2020 became the last time volunteers went to Northgate Laundromat. No one on the Laundry Love team expected the ministry to suspend its outreach for almost two years. But that’s what happened. And plans to resume were thwarted repeatedly by COVID-19.
Recent brainstorming has produced a new plan so Laundry Love can resume its work. While this plan reduces the volunteers’ camaraderie with clients, it will offer the clients greater flexibility as they do their laundry.
The plan is this: Laundry Love volunteers will assemble individual packages that contain a sheet with details (instructions, directions, times, etc.), 3 detergent pods, 3 dryer sheets, and 3 prepaid “gift cards.” Each card will be worth $4.00 and be redeemable for one regular wash and one regular dryer load.
Interfaith Community Services (ICS) has partnered with Laundry Love and will distribute the packets from 10:00am-12:00pm every Wednesday. ICS will manage the distribution from its new midtown office at Rincon Congregational UCC Church (122 N. Craycroft Boulevard) which is near a major bus line.
Serendipitously, the ICS office will also distribute food at that time. Depending upon available funding, the hope is to provide 30-40 laundry packets per month to ICS. Clients can access Northgate Laundromat during most of its operating hours.
So…what can Saint Philip’s parishioners do to support Laundry Love’s mission and help it continue to make a tangible difference in people’s lives?
You can support this ministry with financial donations. Please make your checks payable to “Saint Philip’s Church” and in the memo section write “Laundry Love.” Extra quarters—or any US coins or bills—are also welcome. Saint Philip’s member, Marilyn Lindell, loves to count coins and has become a master at rolling them. Email her at captmarilynusnr@gmail.com to let her know you have change to donate.
A third option is to leave your coin donations in Dcn Tom Lindell’s mailbox in the church office. If you do this and would like a receipt for tax purposes, please include a note to that effect.
Laundry Love’s volunteers are delighted to resume offering this important outreach ministry, and appreciate your financial support. If you would like to learn more about volunteering, email Marilyn Lindell. Thank you!
Laundry Love’s leadership team
Mary Ann Ahrens (Coordinator)
Patty Hamburger (Past Coordinator)
Marilyn Lindell (Coin Counter)