For over 20 years the Order’s Magyar Máltai Szeretetszolgálat in Hungary has been organizing the collection of clothes and their distribution to the homeless. In 2007, some 80,000 people in Hungary benefited from this social service, which operates nationwide through its 350 branches.

Within the framework of this operation, on 4 April last a laundry was inaugurated in Budapest, with the aim of helping those people who have difficulty in washing their clothes because of their health or economic situation.

The laundry – with a capacity of 100 kg a day – will also serve the social centres and homes for the elderly, and will be used to wash the clothes donated to the Magyar Máltai Szeretetszolgálat.

The laundry will be run by ten homeless people who have been hired and trained for this purpose.