We’ve really established a community … We get to know their kids, and we can really connect with people. It’s special.”

Bridget Manning

It may not seem like much, but to some, a free load of laundry can make a difference. Through local listening sessions where low and no-income individuals and families were given an opportunity to talk about their needs, No Wrong Door, a division of Strategic Prevention Partnerships, learned that where support is really needed is through the essentials — with hot showers and clean laundry near the top of the list.

In February of 2023, No Wrong Door coordinators Bridget Manning and Bridget Santos brought a national initiative called “Laundry Love” to Newport County. Founded in California, the program’s goal is to assist low and no-income residents by partnering with laundromats to help relieve some of the financial burdens they face.

Backed by fundraising and donations, they host Laundry Love events on the second and fourth Thursdays of every month, when Manning, Santos and other volunteers welcome those in need to utilize the laundromat and detergent, free of charge. Though the average cost for a load of laundry is just  $6.12, that’s $6.12 saved for other essential needs and resources.

Manning said, “It became evident to us that assisting people with their basic needs could help them redirect their finances and time to their well-being and recovery.”

Since launching the program in February, No Wrong Door’s division of Laundry Love has paid for 438 loads for 197 families. In addition to the laundry service itself, No Wrong Door also equips these events with other basic hygiene products available to those in attendance.

According to those who utilize the program, it’s been an amazing help. One participant said, “I am disabled, and my income is limited. My partner is currently out of work, so our budget is very tight. Laundry Love really helps, especially at the end of the month. I get paid on the 1st, and budget for laundry money, but having Laundry Love events helps me save at least $10 a month. That doesn’t seem like much at all, but on a tight budget it can mean more toiletries that aren’t covered by EBT or gas money to help me get to my daily groups.”

Another attendee said, “My husband got laid off from his job and we have an 11-month-old baby. The cost of living fell into only me paying rent, food, gas, and other bills. Then our dryer broke, so when we heard about the program we felt so relieved. It’s been very helpful, since we haven’t been able to buy a new dryer. He hasn’t gotten a new job, and I don’t get paid enough.”

In an environment like this, it could be easy to feel judged or alienated, but Santos, Manning, and many utilizers of Laundry Love said they’ve built a welcoming community full of friendship and support. One participant said, “The first time I came I was so worried about any judgment, but no one here has ever judged me. Everyone is so kind and supportive. I cannot thank everyone involved for helping our community so much.”

Most attendees are returning, coming back time and time again, even bringing friends along to take part as well. Manning said, “We’ve really established a community. We see a lot of the same people over and over. We get to know their kids, and we can really connect with people. It’s special.”

Laundry Love events are hosted twice monthly at Micki’s Laundromat on Bellevue Avenue in Newport and Ocean State Laundromat on West Main Road in Middletown, respectively, with hopes of expanding to more locations in the future. Attendees can sign up for laundry times via No Wrong Door’s website: nowrongdoorri.org/laundrylove.