By CASEY NEILL AND ANEEKA SIMONIS
A FREE mobile laundry service for homeless and disadvantaged people in Dandenong offers more than just clean clothes.
Orange Sky Laundry (OSL) recently set up a permanent washing and drying service at Dandenong Cornerstone Contact Centre on Thursdays and Sundays from 5.30pm to 8pm.
“We are lucky to be across the road from Launch Housing which hands out soap and towels to people who come in to use their showers,” Cornerstone co-ordinator Don Cameron said.
“But some street people tell me they don’t have anywhere they can wash their clothes so they wear them over again.”
Mr Cameron said the initial response to the laundry van had been very good.
“Their staff are very friendly and welcoming of our patrons and they set up chairs for people to sit down and have a chat while their laundry is being done,” he said.
OSL’s south east service manager Steve Winterton said the chance for a chat was a massive part of the service.
“It’s as much about being a non-judgmental ear to talk to as much as washing their clothes,” he said.
“Some people are really grateful.
“I spoke with one lady who lives out of her car and she was washing her clothing in a public toilet. She was really grateful.”
The free washing and drying service also operates outside the 4Cs crisis centre in Pakenham from 11.30am to 1.30pm every day except Saturday, from 5pm to 7pm every Monday at Narre Warren’s Transit Soup Kitchen and in Cranbourne from 6.30pmto 8.30pm on Fridays.
Mr Winterton said these locations were in desperate need of volunteers and urged anyone interested in lending a hand – and an ear – to phone him on 0457 042 724.
Visit www.orangeskylaundry.com.au for more information.
