Loads of Dignity still serving Hamilton

by John Dowd

The local nonprofit organization, Loads of Dignity, has been serving the Ravalli County community since 2019. Recently, it moved from a Hamilton laundromat to one in Corvallis. However, according to nonprofit founder and CEO, Stefani Jackson, Loads of Dignity hasn’t “abandoned” Hamilton. In fact, it has retained all of its former Hamilton guests, and is receiving more. 

According to Jackson, the nonprofit recently lost a grant and several community donations after a recent article published in the Bitterroot Star. Some in the community got the impression that the nonprofit was no longer serving Hamilton, which Jackson said couldn’t be further from the truth. 

Jackson went over her guest figures and stated that of all the guests they receive, 55% come from Hamilton, 25% come from Corvallis, 15% come from Victor and she even receives 5% of her guests from Darby.

Being that Corvallis is only a ten-mile round trip from Hamilton, she has not lost anyone, she says, and the laundry service is in fact growing, pulling more from Hamilton than before. For many, Jackson said, it is easier to get to Corvallis, with some living on the outside of Hamilton, and it allows others from the northern part of the valley easier access as well. 

According to Jackson, “these people are like my family,” so she would know if people were not able to make it. She added that many of her guests do have vehicles and even jobs. However, these people are on tight budgets and do not have homes where they can wash their clothes. Jackson said they live out of their vehicles or campers. 

The service she provides is really so much more than a laundry service, said Jackson. She explains that it “restores their dignity,” and “it’s everything, for them.” Jackson said guests that visit Loads of Dignity find a place “where they aren’t judged.” 

“My goal, it’s like them coming over to my house to do their laundry, and just talk,” said Jackson. “There’s only one judge, and I’m not it.”

Jackson has a free coffee station and toys for kids. Families come out to do their laundry. Jackson mentioned a business across the street called Olive Branch Counseling. “They have a shower facility and they are very welcoming there, too,” said Jackson.

Jackson added that more and more people are going to be in need as winter approaches. She has seen more people coming down from the mountains to use her service. Jackson said many of the old campers these people live in have leaks, and water can get in and damage things. In fact, much of what they wash is bedding.

Jackson added that some of her guests are in a constant search for a place to hook up to, but after speaking with several of the guests, she learned it can be as much as $800 to $900 a month just for a spot. To hook up to power and water can be even more, so many are “dry camping.”

According to Jackson, 85% of her funding comes from grants. However, community help is huge and that money is often used as the match for grants. She said Loads of Dignity has an upcoming basket auction event, where local businesses and community members donate baskets and basket supplies. These baskets are often themed, and will be auctioned off, online, at the end of October. 

Jackson said this will be the third year they are doing this. “It’s pretty cool, the baskets people make up,” said Jackson. She noted several themes they have seen in the past have included bird lovers, Christmas, fishing, nature lovers, hunting, date nights, scratch-off and more. 

The auction will be available through a site called “32auctions,” and interested parties can contact Loads of Dignity or look on their facebook page for more information. The auction will be between October 30 and November 3.

Since most of her guests are Hamilton-based, Loads of Dignity is planning a huge Hamilton scavenger hunt for next year. More information will be coming out soon for that as well. 

Right now, Jackson says the immediate need is for $5,000 as the match for another grant. According to her, it is difficult to raise the money, especially this year. She said hers and many other nonprofits are having trouble, and grants are few and far between. 

Loads of Dignity is located at the Washboard Laundromat, in Corvallis. For more information, or to get involved, interested parties can reach out to Loads of Dignity through email at loadsofdignity2019@gmail.com or by calling (406) 360-7763. More information is also available on the organization website, loadsofdignity.com. Donations should be written out to Loads of Dignity and mailed to P.O. Box 809, Hamilton MT 59840.