Faith-based organization providing free service at laundromats to needy families

FROM STAFF REPORTS

Twenty-one families washed and dried 168 loads of clothes at a Jacksonville laundromat on Oct. 1 – all free of charge.

Through its Laundry Love Project, Current of Tampa Bay Inc., a faith-based non-profit, has been providing free service at laundromats for the past two years.

Current of Tampa Bay president and founder Jason Sowell said a simple chore like doing laundry can become a strain, especially for low-income families who sometimes have to choose between food and clean clothes for the week.

Sowell and a group of volunteers set up the free service and offer a helping hand to residents. In Jacksonville, volunteers stayed for several hours. Some assisted residents with their laundry; others helped to entertain children while parents did their laundry.

No catch

Current was founded in 2008 to help educate people on social needs and to provide assistance such as washing clothes.

What’s the catch? On Current’s website, the organization says there isn’t one.

"Current provides a tangible service to low-income communities. We bring several hundred dollars in quarters, all necessary laundry supplies, activities for children and refreshments. Inevitably, people will ask ‘what the catch is.’ There is none. We are not there to preach or recruit, just to show love,’’ the site states.

The Jacksonville event was held at Sue’s Coin Laundry on College Street in Jacksonville. The laundromat is in the historic neighborhood of Murray Hill.

"While we host Laundry Love Projects almost monthly in Tampa, we were excited to be in Jacksonville for our next project. I spent several years of my life there and I knew the community would benefit from the project," said Sowell.

Sponsors help

Sowell said sponsors help to provide items like laundry detergent. In Jacksonville, Winn-Dixie donated a $200 gift card, which was used to buy detergent, fabric softener and garbage bags.

"We are grateful that Winn-Dixie decided to provide us with a gift card. The $200 gift card donation will go a long way towards assisting with needed supplies to support the families we will serve," Sowell said before the Oct. 1 event.

Oct. 1 was the first Laundry Love Project in Jacksonville. For two years, events were hosted in Brooksville, Leesburg and Tampa.

Current is seeking community support to help families at upcoming Laundry Love events. Donations of quarters (rolls of $10), coloring books and crayons to entertain children are needed while their parents wash clothes.

For more information, contact Jason Sowell at 727-537-9082 or visit www.laundrybycurrent.org.