Orange Sky Aotearoa is to set up its first permanent laundry pod in partnership with Dave Letele’s BBM FoodShare.
The not-for-profit organisation provides free mobile laundry and shower services to people experiencing homelessness and hardship.
The new service will start in late march outside BBM FoodShare’s base in Wiri.
Spokesperson Kat Doughty says its research and community consultation identified an overwhelming need for this type of support in the South Auckland.
Mr Letele says having clean clothes on your back is a basic human right, but when you’re already doing it tough financially, an extra load of washing on the power bill or the cost of a laundromat can be enough to tip you over.
The Orange Sky laundry pod is a standalone structure fitted with two washing machines and two dryers.
Orange Sky has two mobile laundry vans which service the greater Auckland community, one of which offers warm showers; as well as an indoor laundromat style facility located at the Auckland City Mission.
The charity also operates free mobile laundry and shower vans in Hamilton, Wellington – including a recently launched service in Porirua – and Christchurch.
The service is supported by more than 250 volunteers and, since launching, has completed more than 17,000 loads of washing, provided 8,200 warm showers and participated in more than 27,000 hours of genuine, non-judgemental conversation with the community.
