SULLIVAN, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — In the aftermath of a tragedy like the March 31 tornado that hit Sullivan County, residents can find themselves in need, stuck sleeping, eating, and even wearing items that have been donated while they attempt to pick up the pieces of what is left of their property.
Most of us likely take for granted the small comforts that are no longer available to people displaced in events like these. The familiarity of your home furniture, the ability to hop in your car and jet around town to get errands taken care of, or just the smell of a fresh load of laundry still warm from the dryer.
Two organizations are trying to bring some of that home comfort back to the people of Sullivan that were affected by the March 31 tornado.
Tide Loads of Hope, in partnership with Matthew 25: Ministries has brought a mobile unit to Sullivan to offer free laundry services to residents. The Loads of Hope website describes the reasoning behind its mission;
Because after a disaster, you don’t just want something new. You want what’s yours back. Tide Loads of Hope brings laundry trucks to areas right after a natural disaster to provide free laundry service and clean clothes when they are needed the most.
Tide Loads of Hope website
The Loads of Hope crew washed clothes until 5 p.m. (EDT) and will begin accepting and laundering garments between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Friday.
The service will do two loads of clothing laundry per household per day. Loads of Hope estimates they can handle a total of up to 200 loads per day.
Tracy Allen is a Sullivan resident who was impacted by the Tornado, she says the service has a special meaning for her.
“I get clean clothes of what I DO have left, it means so much,” Allen said.
She went on to explain that while she greatly appreciates the donated clothes she has received, wearing donated clothes just doesn’t compare to having that feeling of familiarity of clothes she owns, clean, and able to be worn.
“Other people are donating everything, but it’s nothing like your own,” Allen said.
Residents who may have an allergic reaction to regular Tide detergent can request the crews use Free and Gentle Tide detergent instead.
