All Saints Episcopal Church Launches New Ministry to Help the Homeless
All Saints Episcopal Church, located in Fort Lauderdale, has launched a new ministry entitled Laundry Love South Florida that will assist homeless and low-income individuals in washing their clothing and bedding for free. The Laundry Love outreach event kicked off on October 15, 2019, to great success. While the outreach events were postponed during the COVID-19 pandemic, they resumed in May 2022, and continue to take place on the second Tuesday of each month from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at The Laundry Spot Hollywood (1410 N Federal Highway, Hollywood, FL 33020).
During the first two months of Laundry Love’s return in 2022, volunteers helped over 40 individuals and families wash and dry over 1.5 tons of bedding and clothing.
“Expanding All Saint’s involvement in the local community to support the homeless and those less fortunate is one of our top priorities,” said The Rev. Leslie Hague, Rector of All Saints. “Laundry Love is about inspiring those who need a hand up and not a handout to continue on their journey of seeking greater independence.”
Based on recent national statistics, individuals who do not have laundry appliances can spend around $100 per month on washing clothing and bedding. Additionally, unsanitary or dirty clothing and bedding can have adverse effects on children in school as well as lead to health and mental wellness issues in adults.
These statistics have led All Saints on this path to work alongside the Jubilee Center, a nonprofit that provides emergency resources to homeless and low-income residents in the City of Hollywood, Florida. All Saints Episcopal Church is the first South Florida church to join the national Laundry Love program.
“Assistance from the community is a necessary component in making this ministry successful,” said Hague. All Saints invites members of the South Florida community to support Laundry Love in one or more of the following ways:
Volunteer
All Saints is seeking committed volunteers to be on-site at Laundry Love during the monthly events to assist with various duties.
Donate Supplies
All Saints will be holding Detergent Drive Sundays to collect supplies such as bottled or powdered detergents, fabric softener, laundry bags and baskets, trash bags, disposable gloves, bottled water, and coloring books and crayons. These items can be dropped off at All Saints on Sundays between 8 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
Tax-deductible donations can be made online at the All Saints website or by mailing checks to All Saints at 333 Tarpon Dr, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 (be sure to write “Laundry Love” in the memo section of the check).
For more information about Laundry Love or to volunteer at an event, please contact the All Saints office at info@allsaintsfl.org or (954) 467-6496, and we will put you in contact with Rich Markiewicz.