Mission Stories Around the Synod: Laundry Love
Biblically, when we think of our Loads of Love ministry an analogy that comes to mind is that of Christ washing the disciples’ feet. Another verse that speaks to us is “Go and do likewise!”
This ministry, part of the national Laundry Love initiative, appealed to our congregation because we have always been generous in giving food and money locally and to the ELCA and this ministry provided the opportunity to interact personally with people in need. My niece was an Associate in Ministry (now Deacon) and worked with her clergy husband in Pennsylvania and had started Laundry Love in their congregation. Our Pastor and Social Ministry Committee liked the idea and so we had a ham dinner and raised $1300.00 for the first year. The second year we applied and received a $2000.00 grant from the ELCA’s World Hunger Domestic Hunger program. Last year we applied and received $11,500.00 for a 3-year period. The 3-year grant supports the Laundry Love in two Dansville laundromats (4 sessions a month) and a cloth diaper program for Moms and Babies through our local hospital. The mothers are on Medicaid and are given 24 diapers, soap, a diaper pail and quarters for the laundromat if needed. These 10 mothers and babies will continue in the program until the child is potty-trained—approximately two years.
A wonderful young mother from our congregation who has two small children facilitates this program. With the 3-year grant we were able to expand to include the diaper program as one of the goals in the application. This program is taking one small step to reduce the hundreds of thousands of tons of disposable diapers in landfills in this country. The mothers seem delighted to choose the attractive snappy diapers that can be used for the two year period.
During the 3-hour laundry sessions we have the opportunity to talk with the people and in listening they share their problems, concerns and needs. This is a time when we can can share God’s love through support, referrals and a gift card for food or gas if there is a need. The participants can come twice a month with individuals receiving 3 loads of wash and drying and families receiving 5 loads each time. With people coming repeatedly, there is the opportunity to develop a relationship and follow-up with their concerns, health problems, and needs.
Having four sessions a month necessitates the need for eight people to handle the sessions. Our local Methodist Church was interested in community outreach and two of their members regularly staff a Saturday morning session. Two women from the local Women’s Civic Club also help with a session. Our neighbor, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, had been given $500.00 for diapers and they transferred it to our diaper program. Two friends of St. Paul’s provide all the soap, deliver our flyers and save quarters for us. We have been so blessed and would be happy to share information with other interested congregations in the Synod.
For congregations interested in applying, ELCA Domestic Hunger grant applications are available in the Spring.
Written with love by Ann Myers, member of St. Paul’s, Dansville