Edwardsville Church Offers Free Showers, Laundry and Meals

EDWARDSVILLE - Community members can access laundry and hot showers at First Baptist Church of Edwardsville.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Friday, the church offers these services to community members who need them. Allison Bell, the youth director, noted that this new program has helped many neighbors in need, and they hope to reach more people in the future.

“We’re very blessed, and I’m grateful to be able to offer this service to people who need it,” she said. “All the people who come are very grateful and thankful for it as well.”

Bell works alongside Angie Fish, Liz Watters, Monika LeBlance, and Cheryl Larusso to host the “Come to Our Table” shower and laundry events every week.

She explained that First Baptist Church of Edwardsville serves as the location for the Edwardsville Overnight Warming Location, so the church has always been committed to the mission of helping people experiencing homelessness.

When SNAP benefits were cut in November 2025, the church noticed a deeper need in their community. They started offering a weekly meal and distributing bagged meals, available for those who have access to a kitchen and those who do not. The church was quickly helping more than 30 community members, many of whom identified as unhoused.

After the OWL installed washing machines in the building, Bell and her team knew they wanted to go a step further to offer showers and laundry. Every Friday, people can shower, do their laundry, and enjoy a meal. They typically welcome around 20 people every week.

On Wednesdays, the church also offers a meal before Bible study. On Sundays, unhoused community members are always invited to a service, where they can enjoy sandwiches and similar foods afterward.

Bell encourages anyone who wants to utilize the “Come to Our Table” shower and laundry services to “just show up.” She suggests coming closer to 11 a.m. on Fridays, as they have limited spots.

“When we started to ‘Come to Our Table,’ we didn’t realize how many people were going to come and how many people we were going to be able to help,” she said. “It’s just kind of grown, and we help a lot more people now. Every week it feels like we get somebody new coming in.”

Bell has been surprised by the need in the community. While she is happy the church can help, she also feels compelled to do more.

“It’s very rewarding, but also very sad to see how many people are struggling,” she explained. “You want to help, and you want to do as much as you can. Even though we’re doing this, it still feels like it’s not enough. I wish we could help more.”

She added that people can assist the program by donating through the church’s Amazon wish list. They are especially in need of shampoo, conditioner and other shower supplies, as well as snacks.

Churches, individuals and businesses can sponsor a weekly meal for about $70. You can contact office@edfbc.org to learn more about how to help.

The church has a blessing box on their property, and donations can be dropped off anytime. Clothing donations can be dropped off during church hours.

For more information about First Baptist Church of Edwardsville, their programs, and how to receive or offer help, visit their official Facebook page or their official website.

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