Mobile laundry programs give those in need ‘a bit of dignity’

If you’ve ever worked outside all day or just returned from a camping trip, you know how refreshing it can be to slip into some clean clothes.

The fluffiness of a clean towel, the crispness of fresh sheets and blankets, the feel of freshly laundered socks and shirts against your skin – that’s a whole different kind of bliss. One that many of us take for granted.

Some people find themselves without access to clean laundry due to financial burdens, which can have a mental, physical and social impact on those who are already experiencing other difficulties.

To help those in need enjoy the convenience of clean laundry, a retired Lutheran minister started a program offering mobile laundry services in northern Colorado.

Homeward Alliance’s mobile laundry program allows low-income and homeless community members to drop off their dirty clothes and laundry and folding items for free.

Woody Carlson, a retired Lutheran minister, got the idea for the program after seeing a similar program in Denver.

“I saw that happen in Denver, and I said we could do it here,” Carlson said. “So I checked with these guys, and they were great. They gave me the jig and the contacts for the truck to build.

The only thing Carlson had to do was raise $100,000 to get it all started.

“I mean, it took a bit of time to go to every Lions Club and every Rotary Club, and churches, and then go to town,” he laughed. “And then go to places like the library and say, ‘Hey, would you like that? “”

While many people thought the idea was interesting – and very necessary – few people understood how a mobile laundry program would work.

“There aren’t many around, and so after we talked about it for a year, they said ‘OK’ and we kicked it off,” Carlson said. “We started for about six or seven months, then the pandemic hit and we had to stop.”

As the pandemic suspended mobile laundry services in Loveland and Fort Collins, Carlson loaned the truck to Denver where it was used at a shelter for homeless women.

“They had taken over an old hotel and the city was hosting women there. The truck sat there for about nine months and it was used every day,” Carlson said. “So it was put to good use. But we have been back here since September.

The Mobile Laundry Truck is a van truck equipped with six washers and dryers that run on a propane generator. Guests drop off their belongings between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Volunteers then sort and wash the belongings before drying and folding them. Once this is done, customers have until 2:45 p.m. to collect their own belongings.

All laundry services are free, and the program relies on donations of laundry soap, plastic bags, rubber gloves, and cash to keep wheels and washers rolling. Volunteers take care of receiving items and do the folding and handing when guests return for their laundry.

“People are really generous. When we need money, we reach out,” Carlson said. “We didn’t just build the truck, we added a big chunk of extra cash so that if we have a big breakdown, we’ll be fine.”

Carlson said he sometimes had trouble finding volunteers to help him. Currently, two of his volunteers are recovering from COVID and another has broken a hip which has put a few hands down.

“We’re not 20-year-olds doing this,” he laughed. “They are my old church friends. We had a few children who came, but the children are no longer seated. They work and go to camps and play sports.

Carlson is open to volunteers of all ages, service groups and organizations that can help during the week.

In addition to providing clean clothes to those in need, the program enables them to connect with others.

“We get to know people and build relationships. They want to talk and connect,” Carlson said. “We see a lot of regular guests, but I’m always surprised how many new guests we see.”

Volunteers Ginny Crawford and Kathe Solomonson take the opportunity to meet up and visit guests.

“I think it’s a good project, and I’ve always had a heart for people going through a tough time,” Crawford said. “It’s something easy to do, it’s fun to do.”

“And we can do it with friends,” Solomonson said.

In addition to folding laundry, Crawford and Solomonson hand out hand warmers to guests and treats to their puppies.

“I just know it feels good to know that I can help someone else,” Solomonson said. “And I know how it feels when I have clean clothes, so I can’t imagine not being able to get your clothes washed. Some of our families are really in need.

Carlson and his team of volunteers make scheduled stops each week at specific locations.

The truck stops at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Fullana Learning Center, 220 N. Grant Ave. in Fort Collins to serve families with children and at 9 a.m. at the Loveland Public Library at 300 N. Adams Ave. Thursdays and Fridays for individuals. and families.

“We learned that libraries are usually where homeless people go,” Carlson said. “And this library is so good. They let us retreat inside on cold days and bring us hot chocolate. We used to do one day a week, but now we do two.

Carlson estimates that he washes and dries about 40 loads a day of laundry.

While the mobile laundry program currently serves Larimer County, Carlson is more than willing to come to Greeley and Weld County to provide laundry services to community members.

“Does Greeley need help?” Do we need to spend a day there? We’re here to bring some dignity into their lives and every little thing we can do to help them out is kind of what we’re looking for,” Carlson said. “You know, maybe if someone washes their clothes, something else happens, and then something else happens and they get a job, and that leads to other things.

“Even if it’s not, if we can help people throughout the week feel a little bit better about themselves, so much the better.”

For more information about the Mobile Laundry program, or to volunteer or donate, go to https://bit.ly/3IqH72X.