Following the example of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet as an act of service and love, one Twin City church is on a mission to wash the clothes of the unhoused.
Robin Freeze, 63, of Festus, is the organizer of the “Homeless Ministry” outreach program at the First Baptist Church of Festus and Crystal City, 107 N. Truman Blvd., Crystal City.
“Two and a half years ago, God impressed upon me to approach our pastor, since I knew there were two unused showers in our church. And from there, it just blossomed. We serve a hot meal, and they can come in and take a hot shower.”
From 1-3 p.m. every Thursday, the church has a special outreach day offering those without homes a free hot meal, shower, clothing, snacks, blankets, tents and other supplies. The goal of the ministry is to help give relief and ultimately help those in need to find a home. Freeze said the typical attendance for the weekly hot meal is about 25 people.
The church also partners with several social organizations which meet with individuals on the outreach days and offer other types of help to get them back on their feet. Freeze said Jefferson Franklin Community Action Corporation comes on the second week of every month, and Compass Health comes the last week of every month. Attendees can also get help from the church itself.
“We are an extension of Salvation Army in Jefferson County. So as long as the church is open, they can come and get the services that Salvation Army offers,” Freeze said. She said the church’s office hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Monday through Thursday.
Freeze said members of the church have made the weekly outreach program possible.
“Everything has been funded through our congregation with generous gifts,” Freeze said.
Now, in addition to existing services, a laundry trailer with two additional showers will be available on the second and fourth Thursday.
Freeze said the trailer was purchased with funds from multiple sources. The Jefferson Foundation awarded the church a $40,000 grant in 2025 to purchase a mobile shower and laundry trailer. Freeze said the church was also given $10,000 by an anonymous donor, as well as a $10,000 gift from the Missouri Baptist Association.
Freeze said the laundry trailer has two stackable washers and dryers. The trailer is located outside the church on the parking lot. Each person may bring one trash bag of clothes for volunteers to wash and dry. No sleeping bags or blankets are allowed.
Freeze said for the trailer’s first day of operation on March 12, 10 people had hot showers and about six to eight people brought their laundry. She said she expects that number to increase as people become more familiar with the program.
Freeze said free laundry is an important service for the outreach program to offer.
“I feel that everyone deserves a hot shower and the ability to get laundry. They are more productive citizens. It makes them more productive in society and accepted, and makes them feel good as a person,” Freeze said.
Volunteers
Gail Thompson, who attends First Baptist, has been volunteering with the outreach ministry for several months.
Thompson said going through previous struggles in her life has inspired her to want to help others.
“I have been where they are, so I know what they’re going through. I just want to help as much as I can,” she said.
Thompson said for her, volunteering to help the unhoused doesn’t end once she leaves the church property.
“If you see someone while you’re out, you can help them then, too,” she said. “The other day we were driving down the street and I saw one of them walking. We stopped and picked them up, and took them where they wanted to go.”
Thompson said the church is still working out the kinks to figure out how many people they can assist in the time they have on laundry days, but the program is working well so far.
“The first time we had it, we did eight loads. That’s probably the max, because we were here until about four-thirty.”
Helping those in need
Angie, 43, said she is grateful to be able to use the laundry trailer. She said she typically goes to a laundry to wash her clothing, but it is a huge drain on her resources.
“I was spending a lot of money once a month trying to do all my laundry. I would spend like $30 and it would rain and they would all be smelly again. It was a waste of money. I try to set them out to dry, but they’re not so fresh smelling. This definitely helps a lot.”
Angie said she moved from Texas to Missouri three years ago to be nearer to family but fell on hard times while looking for a job and became unhoused.
“I just haven’t been able to find work. I’ve got a computer degree, and I just can’t find work. I’ve got a good resume. I don’t know why they’re not calling me back,” she said.
Angie said her struggles to improve her situation have been complicated by no longer having proper identification. She said she lost her birth certificate and hasn’t been able to get a replacement from Texas. Without it, she cannot get a new driver’s license, which prevents her from getting a job, renting an apartment or even getting a hotel room.
However, Angie said she had just received some good news that will hopefully turn her situation around.
“I actually just found a transitional sober halfway house back down in Texas, and I’m going to move back down there,” she said.
Josh, 36, said he regularly attends the Thursday outreach days and has been able to use the new laundry trailer.
Josh said one of the most important aspects of coming to the outreach days is finding connection, both with volunteers and other unhoused attendees.
Josh said he has had struggles with his mental health, but a friend he made during his time at the outreach program was able to get him help during a mental health crisis and as a result, Josh was able to receive inpatient treatment and medicine.
Josh said he wants to be able to pay it forward and volunteer to provide help to someone else who is struggling.
“I do a lot of peer support. I’ve had it in the past, and it helped me. And just knowing that I can help somebody really works for me. It helps me get through my mental health issues.”
Josh said due to the kindness volunteers from First Baptist showed him, he is now attending church there on Sundays.
“I feel welcome. It’s been a big help knowing Robin for sure, because she’s actually one of the reasons I still come because she makes me feel the most comfortable,” he said. “They always try to make it welcome up here, no matter if it’s on a Thursday or if it’s coming to church on Sunday. I always feel welcome.”
Freeze said the church is accepting donations to help with this ministry, which can be dropped off in person during the church’s office hours, or may be made online through the church’s website at fbcfcc.org and clicking on the “Donate” button.
Freeze said she is also looking for volunteers willing to help with the outreach program. She said volunteers do not need to be a member of the First Baptist church. To become a volunteer, reach out to the church at 636-937-3668.