Westwood United Methodist Church in Cincinnati has been living out God’s love one load of laundry at a time. This May, the church will celebrate the fifth anniversary of Laundry Love, a ministry held in partnership with a local laundromat to help residents with laundry expenses.

Founded by Sarah Beach, Carol Wright and Karen Pitz, Laundry Love began as a response to needs they saw in their community. Since then, the ministry has served 40 to 50 families each month. Organizers describe it as a practical way to care for neighbors while building relationships that extend beyond a single service.

When customers arrive at the laundromat, their laundry is weighed. Each person is then paired with a volunteer who uses a prepaid laundry card to cover the cost of washing and drying. While they wait, Laundry Love offers hospitality with pizza, snacks, drinks and conversation. Families with children can use a designated area stocked with crafts and games.

In 2025, Laundry Love completed more than 3,200 loads of laundry, averaging about six loads per family each month. While the volume of service is significant, organizers say the relationships built are just as meaningful. One participant shared, “You are the church that doesn’t forget us.”

As volunteers connect with customers, they often identify other needs, such as food insecurity, and refer families to services like My Neighbors Place, Westwood UMC’s food pantry. Over time, some customers and volunteers have become active in the broader life of the church.

Laundry Love is supported through grants, donor contributions and committed volunteers, but operating costs remain a challenge. To support the ministry, email karen@westwoodunitedmethodist.org.