Our Mission:
To provide free mobile laundry services for those in-need
The Data that supports Our Mission:
North Carolina has 1.4 Million people living near or below the poverty-line.
This means a significant portion of the population struggles to meet their basic needs. Disturbingly, 1 out of 5 children in North Carolina live in poverty, which can negatively impact their well-being, education and future potential opportunities.
In the city of Durham, North Carolina, specifically, 35,000 children live in poverty. This statistic highlights the localized impact of poverty on the younger population within the state.
One of the challenges faced by low-income families is the cost of laundry.
Laundry expenses often exceed $2,000 per year for a typical family. When families are struggling to make ends meet, it becomes difficult for them to allocate funds for laundry services.
The term “Laundry Insecurity” describes the situation where individuals or families cannot afford to wash clothes or bedding regularly.
This issue is particularly prevalent among families living at or below the poverty line.
Our Vision:
Laundry Insecurity can have serious health implications.
Bacterial infections, viral infections, and fungal infections are often linked to clean clothes and bedding.
Additionally, it is important to note that certain viruses, including Covid-19, can survive on clothes and bedding for over three days.
Streptococcus bacteria can survive on clothing and bedding for over three weeks, while the influenza virus can survive for over one week. These statistics emphasize the potential risks associated with inadequate laundry practices, especially during the pandemic.
By providing Laundry Services and resources to families in need, Uplift can help alleviate the burdens faced by low-income individuals and promote their emotional, financial, and hygienic well-being.
North Carolina Financial Numbers: Low income Family’s monthly expenses.
This Chart illustrates an example of the budget numbers that a North Carolina Family Faces. Note that these numbers leave very little for savings, school supplies, clothes, and unforeseen emergency expenses.
Chronic Public School Absenteeism
…and how it is tied to Hygiene Poverty and Laundry Poverty.
86% of Public School Long Term Absenteeism is Linked to Hygiene Poverty
Hygiene Poverty is often a primary driver for long-term absenteeism among public school students, especially in middle and high school.
Roughly 1 in 6 public school students experience chronic absenteeism during their time in the public school system.
Laundry Poverty is a core component of Hygiene Poverty.
Laundry poverty is a leading factor in the hygiene poverty cycle and impact.
Laundry poverty is often the most costly, complex and labor intensive part of the larger hygiene poverty cycle.
The significant financial costs of sustaining consistent Laundry Security.
Sustaining consistent laundry security often requires the purchase and upkeep of large and expensive appliances.
Laundry security requires the ability to afford detergent consistently.
Maintaining laundry security requires consistent budgeting for costly washing/drying fees at laundromats.
Laundry security requires reliable transportation to laundromats.