‘Laundry shouldn’t be a luxury’: Loonies for laundry initiative launches in Exeter

An Exeter laundromat and Lions Club join up to offer free laundry for those that need it. CTV’s Scott Miller reports.

Marc Denomme drove by his friend Jayden Desjardine’s laundromat one morning and saw an unhoused man inside.

“He kind of explained to me that there’s a little bit of an issue here where people aren’t able to afford laundry, but at least they can be warm in this place. So, then the wheels kind of got turning, and by probably 7:30 that morning, we had come to an agreement to start this ‘Loonies for Laundry’ initiative where we can make sure that laundry wasn’t a luxury for these people,” said Denomme.

The Exeter Lions and Sawyer’s Dry Cleaning and Laundry Co. have each contributed $600 to launch ‘Loonies for Laundry,’ an initiative to help those that can’t afford to pay to clean their clothes.

“It gives them something to look forward to that day, and then maybe put the right step forward, for something, maybe a job interview that day, or, you know, something along those lines, that they can help themselves and take a step in the right direction to help better themselves,” explained Sawyer’s Dry Cleaning and Laundry Co. owner, Jayden Desjardine.

Denomme says laundry is something most people take for granted, but for those living at or below the poverty line, it’s a luxury.

“There was a student who fell in the springtime or in the fall and got a grass stain on his pants. And the family relayed to the teachers that they were very upset because they weren’t going to be able to get those out. That essential laundry wasn’t something they got to do in the luxury of their own home or every day, like most people,” said Denomme, an Exeter Lion’s member.

The $1,200 raised so far will fund laundry punch cards that local schools and social organizations will distribute to those families that need it most, says Denomme.

‘Loonies for Laundry’ donation jars are also set up at local businesses for those that want to help.

“The idea is hopefully over time, it funds itself, and we can continue to help those people out,” said Desjardine.

“You know, solving homelessness is definitely the greater issue. But for now, this is one step in the right direction to provide our community with at least the necessity of clean clothes,” said Denomme.

People can also support the laundry initiative online.