Photo: Busà Photography / Moment Open / Getty Images
While working as a police officer in Frederick, Maryland, Wade Milyard responded to a call at a homeless camp and asked people about their laundry needs. He learned from one couple that they washed their clothes in a nearby creek. That moment stuck with him and after retiring earlier this year, Milyard decided to tackle the problem.
Using donations and personal savings, he started the nonprofit Fresh Step Laundry, transforming a bus into a mobile laundromat offering clean, safe laundry services at no cost. Now he drives the Fresh Step Laundry truck around the city on a regular schedule to serve people who need to wash their clothes. The nonprofit has already cleaned more than 2-thousand pounds of clothing, and Milyard is hoping to add a second vehicle to keep up with growing demand.
Customers like Chris Washington say that having clean laundry helps them feel more confident and hopeful. For Milyard, it’s an opportunity to offer a service that gives a small boost to anyone who needs it, one load at a time.
