Fort Scott Washateria has teamed up with Healthy Bourbon County, SEK Community Health Center, Community Organizing to Promote Equity, and Bourbon County Health Equity Action Teams to assist folks with washing their clothes and bedding this Saturday, December 16 at the laundry mat located at 501 S. National.
“Since November 1st we have made machines available from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every Wednesday for folks free of charge,” Washateria manager, Lori Lovelace said. “The Washateria provides laundry soap and dryer sheets for folks that don’t bring their own.”
“In honor of the holiday season, we are hosting our first Wash Wednesday Weekend on Saturday, Dec 16th from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. and all machines are free,” she said. “We are not limiting people to one machine.”
“Those that come at 8 a.m. probably won’t have to wait to put their laundry in,” she said. Noting later in the morning, there will probably be a wait for the machines.
“We do have some guidelines,” she said. “We are limiting, depending on the size of the washing machine. Up to four small machines, up to two 40-pound machines, up to one 60-pound machine, and up to one 80-pound machine and the corresponding dryer. One dryer per machine.”
Lovelace and the staff want to prevent people from “stuffing it too full,” she said. “If they need more than one dryer, they will have to pay for that.”
The larger machines are designed for bedding, “but if nobody is using them, I will let someone with a big load of clothes use them,” she said.
That day also, the Community Day will happen in the clothes closet that the Washateria provides for those in need.
The Community Closet is full of donated items that have been washed at the Washateria and made ready to give away.
“We … want to sincerely thank St. Mary’s Catholic Church who have once again had an Advent Clothing Drive and provided us with much-needed coats, bedding, and clothing,” Lovelace said.
“The Community Closet is having our Community Day in conjunction with this (free washing machine availability) event on Saturday and will have our clothing out and available to anyone in need,” she said. “The coats will be pulled out to make them more accessible.”
In the last month, Lovelace has added vintage kiddie rides that range from 50 cents to $1 per ride, including Dino, a train, and a pony. These are for customer’s children while waiting to clean their clothes.
She has also added massage chairs for those who wish to relax during the wash/dry time. “It takes dollar bills or cards, and has been popular since they came in,” she said.
On Saturday, Christmas music and free popcorn will be added to the experience.
In addition, her husband will have backpacks for homeless people with socks and food put together. “Let us know if you need one, we’ll have a backpack.”