World's Largest Laundromat teams up with PADS

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Thursday, August 25th, 2011 1:47 PM

By Marty Stempniak

Staff Reporter

The World's Largest Laundromat in Berwyn is partnering up with a local homeless-help organization that serves Oak Park.

The Laundromat announced Thursday that it plans to start doing laundry for West Suburban Pads, a Maywood-based nonprofit fighting homelessness in 20 near-west suburbs.

Specifically, the Laundromat will wash items from PADS' emergency shelter program, which provides immediate assistance to 40 to 70 homeless men, women and children each night between October and May.

"We are uniquely equipped to handle such a big job for PADS," Mark Benson, an Oak Park resident and manager of the Laundromat said in a press release. "About 50 beds worth of linens a day, seven days a week for most of the year? You've got to have a big, efficient and professionally run operation to handle that. And that's just what we bring to the table."

Reader Comments

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Michael R Cummings from Oak Park

Posted: Saturday, September 3rd, 2011 3:33 PM

That is so great, people helping people is what it's all about

GayleB from Oak Park

Posted: Friday, August 26th, 2011 2:16 PM

Thank you Mr Benson for your generosity! Nice to see.

Mark Benson from Oak Park

Posted: Friday, August 26th, 2011 11:14 AM

Good question! PADS has a limited budget for laundry services. The value of laundry services far exceeds the price they can pay, so they are getting a very steep discount, which we are happy to give. Basically, they told us what their budget is, and they won't pay a penny more.

T.J. from OP

Posted: Thursday, August 25th, 2011 6:27 PM

Is the laundromat doing the wash for free or are they being compensated? The report seems to elude to services being donated. Is this in fact what is occuring?

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