Laundry Project celebrates 8th year, 35,000th free load
RICHMOND, Ind. — Volunteer Beth Atkinson summed up The Laundry Project simply.
"We turn dirty laundry into clean clothes," she said.
A lot of clean clothes.
Atkinson spoke Thursday evening inside Coin-A-Matic Laundry, 400 S. Fifth St., as the Wayne Township Trustee's Office celebrated The Laundry Project's eighth anniversary. During the celebration, the 35,000th free load was washed and dried.
"It's really a great program, and it runs very well," said Atkinson, a retired nurse who began volunteering eight years ago. "I'm really proud we've been able to keep it up."
Atkinson sat at the check-in table with two other long-time volunteers. Susan Pointis, a retired school social worker, began volunteering seven years ago.
"I enjoy the people, and I like the fact that there's something here to help people when it's needed," Pointis said. "It's a great service to the community, and I think people really appreciate it."
Pointis helped Susie Auman, a retired teacher, become involved in the project, as well.
"I love it," Auman said after assisting a participant. "I love the people, and I love working with the people.
"It's such a worthwhile project, and I don't think there's hardly anybody that doesn't say thank you."
While those three checked in the participants, other volunteers walked around with detergent bottles and quarters to assist those already filling washers and dryers. Heidi Harris of Richmond is a participant and volunteer. She wore a volunteer apron Thursday putting quarters into the machines.
Harris began using the service after her third child was born.
"At that point in time, it was very important," said Harris, who also volunteers at Gateway Hunger Relief Center and would like to go back to school in a social work program. "Having a new baby, it was extremely important. We didn't have a place with a hook-up, so it was saving us that money, having another small child."
The bustling activity inside the ever-warming laundromat Thursday saved many families money. Mike Duke from the trustee's office said washing and drying one load costs $5 or $6. Trustee Susan Isaacs pointed to one double-load washing machine that required 21 quarters to operate.
Families might cut laundry expenses when the money's needed for food, rent and utility bills, especially now when the price of many products continues rising. The now-weekly program averages about 35 families each session, which is building back toward its peak of about 45 families prior to a COVID-related drop.
"The eight years makes me realize that people are using it," Isaacs said. "It's a service that's needed and supported by the community."
During 2014, Isaacs saw a laundry project on the internet and decided it was a good idea for Wayne Township. She said Duke immediately latched onto the idea.
"He kept saying, 'You've got to do it,'" Isaacs said.
Duke said that he saw a desperate laundry need as he carried out his other trustee's office duties.
"A lot of people did not have washers and dryers, and I saw a lot of people washing their clothes in the bathtub," Duke said between times he darted through Coin-A-Matic to assist volunteers and participants. "We've helped all these people for all those years. That's a lot of families and a lot of children."
And, although it's simple to say the project turns dirty laundry into clean clothes, the impact is more complex. Not only is money freed for other uses, but clean clothes improve attitudes and esteem and remove barriers that dirty clothes might erect.
"Kids don't go to school when they've got dirty, filthy clothes," Isaacs said.
The project also provides other free items. On Thursday, tubs contained free soap and body wash, shampoo and conditioner, body lotion and toothbrushes and floss. Isaacs said there sometimes are sheets, blankets and comforters available, as well. At Christmas time, the project celebrates with a meal and children's gifts.
First English Lutheran Church sponsored Thursday's free laundry. The church, which is one of the project's main partners, provided volunteers and giveaways.
Carol Brady, a servant corps coordinator for the church, said a parishioner read about the project and the church decided to lend its support more than three years ago.
Isaacs said no public money is used for The Laundry Project because of sponsor support. Holland Colours America is a major sponsor, and Isaacs said the company even has a budget line item for the project.
Other sponsors include Central United Methodist Church, First Friends Meeting, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish and First Christian Church. Isaacs said the program also receives donations, including an annual $1,000 contribution from someone not even living in the area.
The sponsor support enabled the program to expand from monthly in the beginning to weekly now. The Laundry Project Facebook page and website, www.thelaundryproject.net, list the monthly schedule that includes daytime sessions and evening sessions at Coin-A-Matic and Uptown Laundry, 1017 E. Main St. Or interested participants can call the trustee's office at 765-973-9392.
All anyone in Wayne Township needs to do is bring dirty laundry and an ID. The number of free loads depends on the family's size.
The volunteers then make the finely tuned system work, checking in participants, pouring detergent into washers and slotting quarters into machines. They also provide clean bags for the clean clothes.
"We couldn't have done it without them," Duke said of the volunteers.
Isaacs said there's no stigma attached to participants and no explanations are required. Even as the temperature warmed Thursday, the atmosphere remained light inside the laundromat. Children smiled as parents went about their tasks.
Isaacs sat near the door, out of range of a large fan, handing out pizza and cookies. A sign taped to the table recognized the eight-year anniversary and the 35,000th free load.
"I'm so happy it's turned out so well," she said.
This article originally appeared on Richmond Palladium-Item: Laundry Project celebrates 8th year, 35,000th free load
