Wash Smart Laundry is concluding a three-week program that provided free laundry services to 1,350 families in Chicago affected by disruptions in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The initiative, launched on November 12, aimed to alleviate some of the financial burden experienced by local residents during a federal government shutdown that delayed SNAP benefits for nearly 2 million Illinois residents, including approximately 900,000 in Chicago.
The program, which ends on November 26, will distribute free laundry cards to an additional 850 families across Wash Smart’s 17 locations in the Chicago area. This effort comes after the federal government restored SNAP benefits on November 20, following a 43-day shutdown. Despite the restoration of benefits, many families continue to face significant financial challenges, prompting Wash Smart to step in with essential support.
Joey Gilb, Chief Operating Officer of Wash Smart Laundry, expressed the company’s commitment to the community, stating, “Our customers are at the heart of everything we do. This program is one way we can say thank you and offer real help to families in our community who are under added stress right now.”
On November 26, the first 50 customers at each Wash Smart location will receive laundry cards valued at $10 each, sufficient for a full wash and dry cycle. These cards will remain valid indefinitely and do not require an application process. SNAP recipients can simply present their benefit cards at the counter between 05:00 and midnight to obtain a laundry card.
Support for this initiative has been demonstrated by local officials, including Aldermen Stephanie D. Coleman, Julia M. Ramirez, Jeylú B. Gutiérrez, and Derrick G. Curtis, as well as state Representative Matt Hanson. They have actively shared information about the program with residents in their districts, extending its reach to communities across Chicago’s South and West sides and into suburban areas such as Franklin Park, Elgin, Montgomery, Niles, and West Chicago.
Each of the 17 participating locations, from those on Kedzie Avenue serving Chicago’s Southwest Side to suburban sites in DuPage and Cook Counties, will play a role in this community assistance program. Families with valid SNAP cards are encouraged to visit any Wash Smart Laundry location on November 26 during regular business hours to receive their free laundry card.
For further details about the program or to find participating laundromats, visit [Wash Smart Laundry’s website](https://www.washsmartlaundry.com).
Wash Smart Laundry is dedicated to providing a range of services, including self-service, drop-off, and delivery options at its laundromats. The company prioritizes community engagement and aims to ensure access to quality care for customers throughout the region. Each location features high-efficiency machines, extended hours, spacious parking, free Wi-Fi, and designated family-friendly areas.
