ORANGEBURG, S.C. – The Rev. Ellis White Jr. (in hat) describes his church's "Laundry of Love" ministry as a response to the call in Galatians 6:2 to bear one another's burdens. (South Carolina Advocate Photo)
South Carolina Advocate | June 2, 2026
ORANGEBURG—What began as a deeply personal experience for the Rev. Ellis White Jr. has become a lifeline of grace and practical help for neighbors facing financial strain.
The Laundry of Love Ministry at Edisto Fork United Methodist Church was born out of his desire to ease a simple but often overlooked burden: the rising cost of doing laundry during these tough economic times.
Recognizing that many families must choose between clean clothes and other basic needs, White envisioned a ministry that would quietly and compassionately stand in the gap. Through Laundry of Love, volunteers provide quarters, detergent pods and dryer sheets so community members can wash and dry their clothes at no cost. The goal is as spiritual as it is practical, offering dignity, relief and a tangible expression of God’s love in the rhythms of everyday life.
On May 9, that vision came to life in a powerful way as the ministry served 21 persons at two local laundromats, ensuring that each guest had what they needed to complete multiple loads of laundry. Laughter, conversation and prayers flowed as freely as the machines, turning an ordinary chore into a moment of fellowship and encouragement. For many participants, the assistance meant stretched budgets, cleaner homes and a renewed sense that their community has not forgotten them.
White describes the effort as a direct response to the biblical call found in Galatians 6:2, which urges believers to “bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” In providing clean clothes and compassionate presence, Edisto Fork UMC seeks to live out that mandate in a way that is both humble and transformative. The ministry reminds the church that sharing Christ’s love sometimes looks like a basket full of laundry, a roll of quarters and a listening ear.
As economic pressures continue to impact families across the region, the Laundry of Love Ministry plans to continue and expand its outreach in the months ahead. Community members, businesses and civic groups are invited to partner through donations of quarters and laundry supplies, or by volunteering their time on future Laundry of Love days.
In a world where many feel weighed down by invisible loads, Edisto Fork UMC is proving that even the simple act of helping wash clothes can help carry a neighbor’s burden—and in doing so, reflect the heart of Christ.
Jessica Brodie
Jessica Brodie is editor of the South Carolina Advocate, the news journal of the South Carolina Annual Conference, from which this article is republished with permission.