LA GRANDE — Keeping sleeping bags, coats and other heavy gear clean is always difficult for individuals and families who do not have a home.

Today, a portion of the challenge faced by the homeless in La Grande is being rinsed away with the help of a new program — Loads of Laundry — that may gain momentum as fast as a washing machine on spin cycle.

The program is a collaboration of the La Grande United Methodist Church, Community Connection of Northeast Oregon and Blue Mountain Coin-op Laundry and is providing free vouchers for laundry services for homeless individuals and families.  

“We are very excited about this and thankful for the support we are receiving from the community,” Sandy Ryman, a member of the La Grande United Methodist Church, said.

Ryman founded Loads of Laundry with help from Cilla Coe and Becky Preston, also members of the La Grande United Methodist Church.

Loads of Laundry began operating quietly two months ago but will have its formal opening from 10 a.m to noon on Wednesday, April 5.

“We wanted to get the kinks worked out first,” Ryman said. 

Individuals and families who have been issued vouchers by Community Connection of Northeast Oregon will be able to come to Blue Mountain Coin-op Laundry and receive $4.50 of service for each voucher they have. A $4.50 voucher will cover the cost of washing and drying one load of laundry.

Vouchers will be issued on the basis of need. In many cases, vouchers will be issued on the basis of how many are in their family. For example, a family of four might receive four vouchers, Ryman said.

The Loads of Laundry program will continue providing service from 10 a.m. to noon each Wednesday and there is a solid chance that the hours will be extended later.

“We will expand our hours as more people request vouchers,” Ryman said.

A Blue Mountain Coin-op attendant will be on duty at each Loads of Laundry session to provide free detergent and insert quarters in the washers and dryers being used by those with vouchers. The Blue Mountain Coin-op laundry will be ideal for Loads of Laundry because it has the large heavy duty washers and dryers needed for items like sleeping bags and coats, Ryman said.

Everyone issued a voucher will only be able to use it at Blue Mountain Coin-op and only for laundry. 

“The vouchers clearly state that nobody can get cash for them,” Ryman said. 

Community Connection and Blue Mountain Coin-op are providing staff time for Loads of Laundry and the La Grande United Methodist Church is providing all of the funding for it.

“The La Grande United Methodist Church is committed to helping our community,” Ryman said. “We believe that everyone deserves access to basic necessities, and we are pleased to be able to fund this service for those who need it the most.”

To apply for a voucher, a homeless or unhoused individual one must first make an appointment with Alex Rees, of Community Connection. Rees is based at the Union County Senior Center, 1504 Albany St., La Grande, and can be reached by phone at 541-963-7532.