10/31/2025
Groceries or Clean Laundry?
It should never be either/or. But starting tomorrow, Wisconsin’s FoodShare program—funded 100 percent by the federal government—will not receive any money during the shutdown.
Regardless, we all still need to eat. And we all need clean clothes and bedding.
So, during the lapse in FoodShare funding, County Seat Laundry is partnering with local food pantries and other organizations to distribute pre-paid $20 laundry cards to use at our washers and dryers.
Things to know:
📍 The laundry cards are funded by County Seat Laundry and community members who donate to our House Account, which has been going strong since the floods of 2018.
📍 To stretch the donations, we discount the washer price and provide credits toward free dries.
📍 People can use their cards anytime, including during our Happy Hour deal, 4-6 pm daily, which offers an additional $2 off any size washer. The card’s discount still applies. A double load, for example, is only $1.35 during Happy Hour.
📍 The cards are refillable.
📍 They look like credit or debit cards, so there’s no stigma when using them.
To start, we’re giving laundry cards to five local partners:
Aging and Disability Resource Center of Vernon County (ADRC)
Bethel ButikkThrift Store and Food Pantry
Cashton Cupboard and Closet
Kickapoo Area Food Pantry
Living Faith Food Pantry
We hope to add locations as more donations come in. If you know of other organizations that can help get pre-paid laundry cards into the hands of people who need them, comment here or call us at 608-638-8060.
These are stressful times. But past crises have taught us that while systems may fail, our sense of community never does.
- Laura and Andy Patten, owners and attendants,
County Seat Laundry - Viroqua
WHERE TO GET PREPAID LAUNDRY CARDS
(AS OF NOVEMBER 3, 2025)
*Check with the organization for their hours of operation*
Bethel Butikk Thrift Store and Food Pantry
341 Black River Ave., Westby
608-634-3473
Cashton Cupboard & Closet
199 Front St., Cashton
608-654-5770
Kickapoo Area Food Pantry
106 W. Wisconsin St., Viola
608-627-1910
Living Faith Food Pantry
209 Sands Rd., Viroqua
608-637-7410
Aging & Disability Resource Center of Vernon County (ADRC)
402 Courthouse Sq., Viroqua
608-637-5201
✅ If you’re part of a business that provides essential goods and services and are already financially helping members of our community, thank you. Otherwise, please consider joining us in whatever way feels right to you.
✅ If you’d like to donate $20 for a laundry card or to refill one, call 608-638-8060 with a credit or debit card handy. You can also come in during our attended hours, 8 am-5 pm, Monday-Friday, or 10 am-2 pm on Saturdays. Checks are also welcome. Make them out to County Seat Laundry and mail to 1218 N. Main St., Viroqua, WI, 54665.
✅ Want to help in another way? Consider donating cash to food pantries. Many pantries have also experienced funding cuts from the federal government. Now with FoodShare money drying up, they’ll be especially hard hit. Also, if you are financially able, continue spending at local grocery stores, which now won’t be receiving FoodShare dollars from shoppers.
