In a significant community initiative, Wash Smart Laundry has provided free laundry services to 1,350 families in the Chicago area, concluding its three-week relief program on November 26, 2025. The effort aimed to support households impacted by disruptions in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) due to a recent federal government shutdown.
The program began on November 12 after nearly 2 million Illinois residents, including approximately 900,000 in Chicago, faced delays in their SNAP benefits, as reported by the Illinois Department of Human Services. While benefits were restored on November 20 following a 43-day suspension, many families continue to experience financial difficulties.
Community Impact and Support
Wash Smart’s initiative aims to alleviate some of the burdens for these families by offering essential laundry services at no cost. The program has expanded to include an additional 850 families, showcasing the laundromat chain’s commitment to community support during challenging times.
“Our customers are at the heart of everything we do,” stated Joey Gilb, the chief operating officer of Wash Smart Laundry. “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 the final day of the program, Wash Smart will distribute laundry cards valued at $10 to the first 50 customers at each of its locations. The cards are intended to cover a full wash and dry cycle and remain valid indefinitely without an application process. SNAP recipients can present their benefit card at the counter from 5 a.m. to midnight to receive a laundry card.
Broad Reach Across Chicago
The initiative has garnered support from local leaders, including Aldermen Stephanie D. Coleman, Julia M. Ramirez, Jeylú B. Gutiérrez, and Derrick G. Curtis, as well as State Representative Matt Hanson. They have helped disseminate information about the program to residents in their districts.
Wash Smart’s locations span across Chicago’s South and West sides, as well as several suburban areas, including Addison, Elgin, Franklin Park, Montgomery, Niles, and West Chicago. Each of the 17 participating laundromats plays a crucial role in serving the community, from stores on Kedzie Avenue in Chicago’s Southwest Side to locations in DuPage and Cook counties.
For families in need of assistance, Wash Smart encourages those with valid SNAP cards to visit any of its locations on November 26 during regular business hours to receive a free laundry card.
For more information about the program and to find participating laundromats, visit Wash Smart Laundry’s website.
