South Bay laundromat offering free washes to those affected by flooding
CHULA VISTA, Calif. — Need to do some laundry but can’t due to flooding? A South Bay laundromat is here to help.
After Monday’s historic rains, several organizations and people are stepping up to help people impacted by flood waters. The help ranges from clearing mud from homes to offering free services, like laundry. A South Bay laundromat is doing just that.
South Bay Coin Laundry, located at 1285 Broadway Site 107 in Chula Vista, is offering free wash and dry on Friday, Jan 26 and Sunday, Jan. 28 for San Diegans who have been affected by the recent winter storm.
“It is a great blessing and privilege. And to have people with this type of giving heart, nowadays there’s not many people like this. So I thank them,” said Hugo Penaloza, who’s Lincoln Park home got damaged.
Out of Monday’s torrential rain came a rainbow of support. Free laundry at South Bay Coin Laundry. Penaloza is taking advantage of the free service.
“A lot of clothing has already been ruined, there is a lot of clothing that smells bad,” Penaloza described. He said his family’s home was flooded Monday, but they spent Tuesday and Wednesday cleaning so they are able to continue living in their home.
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“This week’s flooding has been an unimaginable nightmare for families across San Diego affected by floodwaters,” the laundromat wrote in a social media post Thursday. “We know in situations like this one can feel stressed and not know where to begin. South Bay Coin Laundry is ready to help out those affected by the flooding by offering free wash and dry.”
Penaloza said his wife’s dialysis machine got submerged in the muddy water. He said he administers the treatment to his wife every day for nine hours. Penaloza said the machine works but the oxygen part does not. He said he called his insurance and they told him they will not cover the damages.
That news makes free laundry even more merciful for the family of five.
All dryers and washers will be free starting at 9 a.m. on Friday and Sunday, and the business will be open 24-hours.
“We are usually open until 3 a.m. but for those two days our doors will stay open 24/7 to be accommodating for everyone’s schedule,” the laundromat noted. “Bring in an ID, photos, videos, or a bill with your address showing you were in the affected areas and our attendants will turn on all the washers and dryers you need to get your items nice and clean again.”
Ahmu is doing laundry for three families. She said the storms did not affect her home, but she wanted to help after a friend asked for someone to wash their clothes.
“I saw her whole block, and they said do you mind taking mine, and I said whatever fits in there, throw it in there, I don’t mind at all,” Ahmu said.
“Already on the hanger?” FOX 5 asked.
“They just pulled them out of their closets, because it was about 4 feet high you could see the water lines in their homes, it was right here,” Ahmu described while pointing at her waist.
She stuffed load after load of heavy, mud soaked clothes into her car.
“To me this is the least, but if its helping them save money buying new clothes,” Ahmu said.
South Bay Coin Laundry manager, David Resendiz, said videos on social media motivated him.
“It’s a good feeling knowing we can help them out, even when we didn’t know they were in need,” said David Resendiz, the South Bay Coin Laundry manager. “It’s a stress off their back, they don’t have to worry about going somewhere and paying for it.”
“I want to personally thank David,” Penaloza said.
The gesture comes in the wake of historic flooding across San Diego County.
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