Laundromat on wheels rolls into city

CELINA - A disaster- relief and humanitarian-aid organization has brought a mobile laundromat to Celina to help residents affected by the recent tornado.

Matthew: 25 Ministries is the power behind Tide Loads of Hope, a truck equipped with high-efficiency washers and dryers that can do laundry for communities in need. The truck opened up shop at the Celina Walmart, where it will stay through Sunday.

Cole Simmons, volunteer relations manager, said they usually do up to 100 loads of laundry a day. The laundromat accepts two loads of laundry per household per day, and they wash, dry and fold the clothing.

Matthew: 25 Ministries also has care packages available for residents, including one for clean-up with masks, gloves and first-aid materials and a care package kit, filled with hygiene products, shaving kits and toilet paper. The group also has diapers and pet food available, all at no cost. The organization has also distributed items throughout affected neighborhoods.

Started in 1991, the faith-based not-for-profit organization from Cincinnati has been working to "help the poorest of the poor and disaster victims locally, regionally, nationally and internationally," according to an information pamphlet. Paula Hayes, corporate accounts manager, said the group operates in 60 countries and has more than 70,000 volunteers help a year. Hayes said that 100% of donations they receive goes to aid during a disaster.

Simmons said he and other volunteers have traveled to places such as New Orleans and Texas, affected by hurricanes and other natural disasters. Volunteers have sifted through clothing smothered in insulation and ground-up glass. After going through a natural disaster, tending to the little things can seem overwhelming.

"It's one less thing for them to do," Simmons said.

People who use the laundromat can drop off their laundry and pick it up within a few hours, or they can pick it up the next day.

The laundromat accepts all washable clothing with the exception of bulky items such as heavy bedding or shoes.

The laundromat will be open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. today and Sunday, though the truck may stay longer. Those interested in helping can donate money online at https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/matthew25ministries or donate items at their regional depot and staging location at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, 645 Infirmary Road, Dayton. Hayes noted that people can also volunteer to help fold clothing at the mobile laundromat.

Find links to all other tornado coverage on this page including stories, map, albums and video.