The last good deed of old Maltese currency

YMCA Valletta has launched an appeal for donations of old Lira denominated notes and coins to be made in aid of its continuous project to assist homeless persons in Malta.

The appeal follows last week’s reminder by The Central Bank of Malta that it will be exchanging the old currency to euro until February 1, while bearing the news that Lm11 million are still in circulation.

YMCA called on the public to give it old-currency donations of any amount by Thursday.

“Contributions of any size in the old currency may bring joy to families in need, victims of homelessness and vulnerable children,” YMCA Valletta chairman Jean-Paul Mifsud said.

“This way money that has been left unused for at least the past two years may be put into good use.”

Despite being the homeless-specialised non-government organisation to receive least government funding, YMCA Valletta currently provides a home to 24 homeless people, including seven children.

Last year YMCA Homeless assisted an average of 50 people on a daily basis. In order to survive, the organisation relies on the generosity of the public and fundraising.

By means of a professional team of project workers, at the homeless shelter Dar Niki Cassar and in the specific minors shelter where only kids are taken care of, the organisation offers refuge, social work and psychological services to the needy and the destitute.

Besides offering shelter to people who are already homeless, YMCA Valletta works with hundreds of vulnerable people who are either threatened with homelessness or are temporarily faced with the plight of having nowhere to sleep at due to unfavourable social circumstances, many a time after incidents of domestic violence.

Donations can be tendered by hand at YMCA Valletta, 178, Merchants Street Valletta.

YMCA can also make arrangements to collect the donations.