Rockford laundromat launches free service for seniors, expands free laundry for students
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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- At the bottom of this article: How to participate in Fresh for Seniors and Fresh For Learning laundry programs
ROCKFORD — A locally owned laundromat has launched a new program to provide seniors with free laundry, and it has expanded a service that helps hundreds of Rockford Public Schools students get their clothes cleaned for free.
5 Alarm Coin Laundry hosts both programs at its third and newest location at 290 N. Mulford Road. The program for students is also hosted at 5 Alarm’s locations at 3939 W. Riverside Blvd. and 3110 S. Alpine Road.
The programs are run in partnership with the Rockford Police Department’s ROCK House and the nonprofit Inclusive Public Service Communities. Molina Healthcare of Illinois is providing $50,000 in funding to operate the programs. That builds on its previous grant of $40,000 provided in 2024 for the Fresh for Learning program, which provides free laundry service to students on Tuesday through Thursday evenings.
The new program is called Fresh for Seniors, and it provides laundry for those 60 and older on Wednesday mornings.
“Molina is committed to addressing the barriers that play a role in the health and well-being of Illinoisans,” said Kris Classen, vice president of health care services for Molina Healthcare of Illinois. “By providing free laundry services to help area residents, we’re empowering our community to live more comfortable and healthier lives.”
Molina presented the check on Tuesday at 5 Alarm Coin Laundry with representatives of the company, the police department and IPSC.
5 Alarm, which is owned by three Rockford firefighters, opened its new location on Mulford Road on April 1 and has now expanded the Fresh for Learning program there, too.
“At 5 Alarm Coin Laundry we believe that a strong community is built on access not to just safety like housing, education and health care, but also basic necessities like clean clothes,” said Matt Felauer, who owns the business with Bob Remily and Dan Matthews. Felauer and Matthews have retired from the Rockford Fire Department and Remily just marked 26 years of service.
The idea for the program came from Officer Patrice Turner, who is a resident officer in a west-side ROCK House, a program that embeds officers into the communities they police. Turner approached 5 Alarm with the idea about five years ago when the Riverside Boulevard location opened, and the Felauer said it was a “no-brainer” for them to partner.
Police Chief Carla Redd said Turner had recognized the need for the service from her days as a school resource officer, when she would talk with students about a variety of issues they face.
“Her caring and love for the kids really afforded us the opportunity with a partnership to make things brighter for our youth in the community,” Redd said.
The program now serves roughly 120 students per week and has provided thousands of baskets of free laundry since its inception.
“That’s not just a number,” Felauer said. “That’s thousands of days where students could show up to school with confidence and dignity.”
Info | Fresh for Seniors
What: Free laundry service for seniors ages 60 and older. Two loads of laundry provided. Show your photo ID to the attendant for age verification. No sign-up is needed.
When: 7 a.m. to noon Wednesdays
Where: 5 Alarm Coin Laundry, 290 N. Mulford Road, Rockford
Info | Fresh for Learning
What: Rockford Public Schools students can launder two baskets per day for free on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays on a first-come, first-serve basis. Registration is required and each student will need to present their school ID or a school summary sheet with school info and photo.
When: 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays
Where: 5 Alarm Coin Laundry:
- 290 N. Mulford Road, Rockford
- 3939 W. Riverside Blvd., Rockford
- 3110 S. Alpine Road, Rockford
Info/Registration: Go HERE
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
