WordUP To Offer Free Washing/Drying Service

Those who visit the Gap Laundry, located at 5291 Lincoln Highway, on Thursday, Nov. 6, between 1 and 3 p.m. will be able to wash and dry their clothes free of charge thanks to congregation members from WordUP Ministries.

WordUP has partnered with Laundry Love to offer the free services, which are designed to provide assistance to families and individuals in need. "Laundry Love started this (effort) for low-income and no-income people," explained pastor Buck Mowday. "We just want to show love, and we want to do your laundry because everyone deserves dignity and we want to show that."

Participants will be asked to sign in when they arrive, and they will be assigned a number. "When you come in that day, you will sign in - just your first name. You will put your clothes in (the washer and dryer), and we will put the quarters in," explained Mowday, noting laundry detergent will also be provided. "We have to keep track of every load and send that information to Laundry Love."

Mowday said that he spoke recently with a single mother, who noted that it costs her close to $15 to wash her clothing during one visit. "They can spend that money on medicine, food or whatever they need, instead of laundry," Mowday said.

Visitors will be provided with information about the church, but that is not the goal of the effort. "We are not going to ask you to come to church. We are just strangers, but we want (people) to become our friends," Mowday said.

WordUP plans to offer the service on the first Thursday of each month. "Hopefully, we can grow this. Maybe we can go to another laundromat or do this two times a month," Mowday stated. "We want to give back to our community. We just don't want to be in the community. We want to be part of the community."

"It is a practical way to help, plus it brings us together as a church," he added.

According to http://www.laundrylove.org, the national nonprofit organization, which formed in 2003, partners with local laundromats and volunteers to provide free laundry services for low-income families and individuals. The organization's mission is to bring dignity and hope to people by helping them wash their clothes and bedding through volunteer-run events across the United States. Participants do not need to show identification or personal information to receive help. 

WordUP is located at 160 Route 41, Gap, on the second floor of the Dutchland Inc. building. The Sunday service is held at 10:45 a.m. A cafe is open prior to the service at 10 a.m. A free breakfast meal is offered on the first Sunday of the month, beginning at 9:45 a.m. All events are open to the public.

For more information, visit www.wordupcommunityministries.org or search for "WordUP Community Ministries" on Facebook. Those with questions may email buckmowday@gmail.com.