A new initiative in Castlemaine is providing a free laundry service to people experiencing homelessness and members of the community doing it tough.<\/p>\n
The \u2018Laundromat of the Future\u2019 service is operated by not-for-profit organisation, Orange Sky, at Sac O Suds Launderette.<\/p>\n
Orange Sky provides people experiencing homelessness or doing it tough (whom they call \u2018friends\u2019) with access to free laundry services, safe showers and genuine, non-judgmental conversation across Australia and New Zealand.<\/p>\n
Usually delivering their services via iconic bright orange mobile vans, their new \u2018Laundromat of the Future’ coined service concept sees Orange Sky partner with \u2018Sac O Suds\u2019 and other businesses across the country to carry out the same trusted and free service.<\/p>\n
Orange Sky co-founder Nicholas Marchesi said they had been looking to support the Castlemaine community for some time.<\/p>\n
“We know there is a growing need for support services within the community with 2021 Census data reporting that 40 per cent of renters in Castlemaine are spending more than a third of their household income on rent, which has increased from 11 per cent in 2016,” Nic said.<\/p>\n
“There are also many people in Castlemaine who sadly lost work during COVID lockdowns, and they are still really struggling to make ends meet, now more so in the face of rising living costs.”<\/p>\n