Free diapers and no-cost washing
Laundromat helps low-income families erase expense of cleanup
A laundromat with a diaper bank and free washing services for lowincome families has opened in Regina.
Located in an alley off of Osler Street behind the Enterprise Rent-A-Car on Victoria Avenue, it doles out free cloth diapers acquired through donations and free laundromat services for low-income families that have been referred from partner agencies.
Inspired by diaper banks in other cities, a board of directors came together to plan the service in September. When it began receiving more cloth diaper donations than disposable ones, it decided to go the laundromat route.
The laundromat was previously operated by the Canadian Mental Health Association, and a grant from the Community Investment Fund will cover the first six months of rent.
Regular use of the laundromat will also subsidize the low-income users. It is open to the public 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Board member Robyn Pitawanakwat hopes a drop-off service attracts downtown customers. She also plans to set up a canteen to sell lunches and snacks.
At one end of the shop, she has set up tricycles, kids’ chairs and a play kitchen for entertainment.
Pitawanakwat got involved with the diaper bank’s board, inspired by her experience as a low-income mother of three. She also ran a daycare out of her home for five years. She said diapers can be one of the major expenses for parents.
Many low-income families live in apartments, she added, which can be without laundry services. Pitawanakwat was once forced to trek to a laundromat every two days with her child’s cloth diapers after the washing machine in her building broke down.
“It became very expensive very quickly,” she said, sorting through a pile of donated diapers. Boxes of them are stacked in a back room.
Some laundromats don’t even allow cloth diaper washing.
Then there’s the environmental aspect: Pitawanakwat said it was “disheartening ” to see her garbage bags fill up with disposable diapers when she chose to use them.
“Instead of shaming families we want to encourage them and help them find a way through that is better for everyone, especially our children,” she said.
The laundromat is currently seeking volunteers to help with the operation. Donations of diapers can be dropped off at the shop or at Knox-Metropolitan United Church on Victoria Avenue and Lorne Street.