Volunteers had a busy Christmas Day this year, serving food to some 750 people at lunches held by Caritas Malta and Soup Kitchen OFM Valletta.
Caritas saw around 600 people turn up to its Christmas lunch held at the Archbishop’s Curia, while Soup Kitchen OFM welcomed some 150 people through its doors.
Both organisations reported a successful day, with Caritas describing its event as “truly meaningful” and Franciscan friar Marcellino Micallef describing the OFM lunch as “joyful”.
Guests at both lunches were served a traditional Christmas lunch of Turkey, potatoes and vegetables, with Caritas also serving up soup and the Franciscan centre offering lasagne.
Up to 100 volunteers turned up to the curia, with additional assistance in advance of Cartias’ event provided by those involved with its year-round activities, including members of the organisation’s prison inmates programme.
Caritas’ lunch saw visits from President Myriam Spiteri Debono, Prime Minister Robert Abela and his wife Lydia Abela, Opposition Leader Alex Borg and his partner Sarah Bajada, Archbishop Charles Scicluna, Malta’s Ambassador to the Holy See Frank Zammit and Parliamentary Secretary Keith Azzopardi Tanti.
President Myriam Spiteri Debono was among those to visit Caritas’ lunch sitting. Photo: Caritas Malta.‘Huge demand’
Caritas Malta spokesperson Marica Cassar said the organisation had anticipated a “huge demand” this year, leading it to set up additional seating in tents outside.
She explained that social workers assigned to each table to speak with guests and offer further support had noted that a sizeable number of attendees were people going through separations.
“Guests included people struggling with loneliness – which is made much worse at this time of year – those going through separations, people struggling with mental health issues, foreigners without family in Malta and victims of domestic violence,” she said.
The Caritas lunch was held at the Archbishop’s Curia. Photo: Caritas Malta/Facebook.Cassar emphasised the impact of loneliness on people assisted by the organisation, noting that some volunteers also struggled with loneliness: “They come for the feel-good factor too,” she said.
Stressing the importance of the event, Cassar said, “For us, this is not just a lunch but a means of outreach”.
“The satisfaction for us is not just on Christmas Day, but that after this, we will, if they ask for it, follow up with those who need help.”
Cassar thanked those who supported the event, including the Office of the President, which provided the desserts, and the Alfred Mizzi Foundation, which provided savoury dishes and whose Vecchia Napoli chefs — part of Alf Mizzi & Sons Ltd — prepared them.
Between 80 and 100 volunteers turned up to the curia to lend a hand. Photo: Caritas Malta/Facebook.She also thanked Maltese band X-Tend for performing at the event, and Azzopardi Tanti, who provided the sound system.
‘A special day’
Echoing Cassar’s words, Fr Marcellino said “many people are passing through a difficult time in life” but called today “a special day”.
“It’s amazing to see the generosity of the Maltese and of foreigners,” he said, noting that demand for the around 30 volunteer slots at the Valletta soup kitchen lunch had been so high the organisation had to turn down applicants.
Around 30 people volunteered at the Valletta soup kitchen on Christmas Day. Photo: Soup Kitchen OFM.Fr Marcellino said local shops had provided new clothes for guests to wear to the lunch, which he stressed made a “big difference” to recipients.
Soup Kitchen OFM even saw a visit from Santa. Photo: Soup Kitchen OFM.While admitting that the “hectic” days of preparation and people sharing their personal challenges had taken their toll, he said it was “joyful” to see the reactions of those attending the lunch.
Traditional turkey lunches were rounded off with desserts. Photo: Soup Kitchen OFM.“I saw smiles on faces as I’d never seen before – and it’s contagious; when you share what you have in your heart, it multiplies,” he said.
He thanked those who had given up their time to volunteer and sponsors for the event.
‘Reach out to the lonely this Christmas’
Meanwhile, as well as at home, warnings about the impact of loneliness at Christmas came from further afield — in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
In a video posted to social media, Steve Chetcuti, who is midway through an attempt to be the first Maltese to row the vast ocean solo and unsupported, said one of the reasons he took on the challenge was to raise awareness about loneliness.
“Christmas Day is the day people get together with family and friends and enjoy time together. [But] not everybody has this luxury”, he said.
“If you know somebody who may be lonely this Christmas – and also throughout the rest of the year – reach out to them, say hello, get them involved. Even if just one of you does it, this trip will have been worth it”.