By Edie Schmierbach, Mankato Free Press

 

ST. PETER — It’s more than a token gesture. It’s a way to lighten the load.

Several times in recent months, customers bringing laundry to Saint Peter Laundry Co. have been surprised by the action of strangers offering to pay for their laundry loads with tokens or quarters.

One of the friendly ambassadors is Joe Flynn of St. Peter. Every five or six weeks, he’s been at the laundromat for two-hour evening shifts of giving.

“I am part of a group at my church, Holy Communion, that was looking for an outreach project,” Flynn said.

Their church’s diocese suggested Laundry Love, since the nationally recognized program already was a mission for other Episcopalian congregations.

The concept behind Laundry Love endeavors is to offer regular opportunities for service groups to come alongside people, especially those who are struggling financially.

Mega Wash Maytag Laundry in New Ulm also has worked with a Laundry Love group. Local churches donated soap as well as money.

“We were surprised at the turnout. It feels good to help out people who are trying to stretch their income for food and heat and all the other necessities of modern day-to-day life,” the business’ manager Jim Fett said.

The nationwide initiative traces its beginnings to a conversation 15 years ago in California between a would-be good Samaritan and a man who did not have a place to live, according to Laundry Love’s website. When asked what he needed, his practical response was: “If I had clean clothes, I think people would treat me like a human being.”

“A big part of it is to help financially, but it’s also about spreading love and happiness and getting to know your neighbors,” Flynn said.

His group does not make assumptions about those they gift with tokens — they don’t judge people by the way they dress, he said.

“They pay for people’s laundry. It doesn’t matter if they pull up here on a bike or in a Cadillac,” said laundromat owner Megan Willette said.

She had read about Laundry Love in a trade magazine and was quick to come aboard the program after she was contacted last spring by Flynn and asked if a deal could be worked out to offer people the gift of clean clothes.

“Sometimes, they’ve had every machine in use,” Willette said.

Holy Communion’s group uses fundraiser proceeds to purchase tokens and coins from Willette, who donates a portion to the cause.

Guidelines were developed to ensure the distribution evenings go smoothly. Recipients may have up to 11 tokens. Free washes are not offered if machines were pre-loaded with dirty or wet clothes but not started before the designated Laundry Love hours.

Flynn said Holy Communion is willing to rotate Laundry Love duties with other groups. A team of his fellow workers from the pharmacy department at Mayo Health Systems in Mankato volunteered for a shift last year.

Interested groups may find out more by going to the Laundry Love website. Flynn said the organization is well-run, offers tips on how to start out and even can provide mentors.

He said participants from Holy Communion have witnessed how the program is benefiting their communities.

“One family of five or six members had just brought a house and had lots of high expenses to take care of. They were very appreciative,” Flynn said.

“And once there was a single guy who said he was in between jobs and it was nice to have clean clothes to wear to interviews. He said he didn’t know when would be the next time he’d be able to do his laundry.”

Flynn estimated 90 percent of the people offered tokens take them. Those who decline usually say they don’t need the freebies.

“Often, we’re told they appreciate what we are doing.”