Program means some can pay bills and have clean clothes
BELLEVILLE, Ill. (AP) - A dreary weather forecast didn't keep away the smiling faces and appreciative customers from the second Suds of Love event in Belleville on the evening of Jan. 22.
Free and open to the public, Suds of Love is aimed at individuals and families who need assistance accessing laundry services. Participants are eligible to use up to two standard-capacity machines per family or individual or one high-capacity machine at no cost.
The city's General and Community Assistance Office hosted the event from 5 to 8 p.m. at Best Wash Laundromat. The plan is to host free laundry nights monthly, said Leander Spearman, interim director of Community Development.
'œWe launched our first Suds of Love event in December, and it was very helpful for people who might not have the resources to regularly launder their clothing,'ťhe said. 'œThis is just one small thing we can do, to help stretch the limited income our clients have.'ť
Belleville resident Jasmyne Glenn says the program is a great idea.
'œA lot of people struggle, we can all relate to that. Sometimes the cost can be up to $5 a load and if you don't have clean clothes for work or school it can be a problem,'ť she said.
With news and sitcoms playing on the televisions inside, free laundry detergent and pizza was also available for those attending the event at Best Wash Laundromat, which recently celebrated its first anniversary.
Dee Toomes, an attendant at Best Wash Laundromat, said the program 'œgives people a chance that may struggle to find money to wash.'ť
She added she overheard one Suds of Love participants say the free program eliminated the choice between having clean clothes and paying a bill.
'œAs word gets out then I expect that we will have more people to come out and I hope that people will donate to keep it going,'ť said Spearman.
Funding for Suds of Love does not come out of the city's general assistance budget, but was made possible by an initial investment of $400 by Beacon Ministry. The program is a partnership between the General and Community Assistance Office, Beacon Ministry, and the Community Development Network.
Donations for the project can be made at the events or through one of the partner organizations.
Suds of Love laundry days will continue to partner with its east-end laundromat, Belleville East Laundromat, 1008 Carlyle Ave., in addition to Best Wash Laundromat on the west to increase accessibility to those who need it. The dates for the February Suds of Love will be posted on the city of Belleville's Facebook page.
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Source: Belleville News-Democrat, https://bit.ly/2NV4LKZ