Mobile Washing Machines To Help The Homeless

These are the type of people that remind us all that there's still good in the world.

Orange Sky Laundry began in Brisbane in late 2014, and relies on volunteers to help by providing washing machines and dryers to Australia's homeless population. The difference with this project, is the service comes directly to the homeless themselves. The big, orange van is equipped with washing machines and dryers, as well as 6 orange chairs that allow for conversation and socializing.

Every single night there's 105,000 people that find themselves homeless in Australia

Co- Founders, Lucas Patchett and Nicholas Marchesi, said the idea to start the world's first mobile laundry service came from a longstanding passion to help those without a home. They now have eight vans, which operate four days a week at locations all across Australia.

"That mobility of working in the vans, in the parks, where people are most comfortable is really really important to us, but also finding a value-add to those awesome services and laundry is something that has been overlooked," Patchett said.

One man that has benefited from this free service, said clean clothing gave him a confidence boost and encouraged him to seek out contact with others rather than hiding away. He also said it was vital when seeking a house to rent.

"The most important things that our vans carry around are not the washing machines or the dryers, it's not the detergent, it's not the volunteers, it's the six orange chairs which foster really positive and genuine conversation. To date Orange Sky laundry has fostered 25,000 hours of conversation.

I hope this project expands worldwide and makes its way to the Treasure Valley.