=
Expand search form

Wash, dry, repeat: Couple volunteers at laundry program for homeless

By Nancy Jennings

Sporting bright orange T-shirts with the words “WASH DAY” on them, Bob and Virginia Widing are easily identified at Silverton’s Laundry Depot. Since last May, the Molalla couple began showing up at the laundromat every other Tuesday afternoon from 12:30 – 4:30. They welcome area homeless attend to washing and drying their own laundry. Quarters aren’t required. Instead, the couple came up with a novel idea: tokens. Plastic coin-shaped tokens are issued in advance to recipients, who are pre-screened at SACA.

“If people ask for a token, I don’t just hand them out. I ask them if they already have access to laundry facilities – or if they’re ‘unhoused,’ I will verify that,” SACA Intake Specialist Erin Wilson said. “It’s primarily used for the unhoused clients.”

Looking like poker chips, tokens are red, white or blue. The red ones are issued from Cherry Hoffman at First Christian Church, the white ones come from SACA, and the blue ones come from Sarah White with Silverton’s Sheltering Services.

“Bob Widing brought me tokens. Pastor Knox and I were really excited about it and we got on the bandwagon right away,” Hoffman said.

As co-founder of the church’s Wednesday Night Free Community Dinners, which began filling plates in 2008, Hoffman “wears many hats” and is pleased to continue to help wherever there’s a need.

The process is simple. The clients come to the laundromat and show the Widings their pre-issued tokens. The tokens are not collected, they simply serve as identifiers that the recipients are invited to use the facility.

“We got the orange T-shirts so they could spot us here at the laundromat,” Virginia said.

Bob, 77, and Virginia, 76, have been married 56 years, have three children, 12 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren (with another on the way). Stepping up to help organize a new outreach program was natural to them.

“We both volunteer at SACA on Tuesday nights. SACA supplies the food, and Sarah White works with the homeless. The one thing they didn’t have was a clothes-washing program. So, we thought ‘we could do that,’” Bob explained.

“I’m so thankful that we have done it because we’ve had people come in that have cried, telling us they’re so grateful they can do their laundry,” Virginia said, adding she recently noticed somebody had six loads to wash.

“A lot of times people come in to wash their blankets, the ones who sleep outside,” Bob added.

The couple gives full credit to community donations, which continue to grow.

“Sarah White recently bought us four donation boxes to place around town. Every donation goes into a specific account so there’s accountability. All the monies donated go into this program to buy the laundry soap, etc.,” Bob explained, adding they will continue their part as long as possible.

“I love these people, it’s a blessing,” Virginia said.

To donate to the “Wash” program, contact Virginia Widing at 503-829-8048.

Previous Article

Restoration: SHS Environmental Club plans to rehabilitate Silver Creek

Next Article

The sorting life: Dave and Marge Kemper recycle for Senior Thrift Shop

You might be interested in …

Natural beauty: 19-year-old entrepreneur thriving

By Nancy Jennings In 2014, Antonina Kuznetsov was a 15-year-old living in the small city of Fosston, Minnesota, on a mission – to become an entrepreneur. After taking the necessary steps, she secured a business license and made her dream come true – all before getting her driver’s license. Now 19, the Monitor resident and founder of “Antonina’s Naturals,” an […]

Nifty fifty: Senior Center welcomes younger crowd

By Nancy Jennings Fifty is the new 60 at Silverton’s senior center. The lower age requirement for center membership took effect in April, and the center hopes to add fresh faces to its current 546 members. “More exercise classes will be offered late in the day when more people who work can get there and participate,” Kathy Hunter said. Kathy […]

Council reviews charter, rules

By Kristine Thomas The Mt. Angel City Council had a work session Feb. 9 called “Governing Basics for City Councilors” presented by Jennie Messmer of the League of Oregon Cities and Valerie Saiki of City Council Insurance Services. Messmer reviewed with the councilors – four of whom are new – the city’s charter and council rules. Topics included public meeting […]