The 24-Hour Food Marathon for Soup Kitchen OFM

Founded by Fr. Marcellino Micallef in 2021, the Soup Kitchen OFM Valletta is a winner of the European Citizens' Prize. They provide more than just a meal; they provide dignity and a lifeline to those in our community who need it most.

The Soup Kitchen OFM Valletta operates as a "daily miracle of providence," relying entirely on a broad network of voluntary support rather than fixed government funding.

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When Fr Marcellino speaks about the "new poor," he isn't just referring to people living on the streets. He is describing a growing group of people in Malta who, until recently, were financially stable but have been pushed to the edge by the current economic climate.

These are individuals with full-time jobs who simply cannot keep up with the rising cost of living. After paying rent and utility bills, they are left with nothing for food or medicine.

Fr. Marcellino often mentions guests who have to choose between buying heart medication or buying dinner.

Many senior citizens on fixed pensions find that their income, which was sufficient ten years ago, no longer covers basic necessities. They represent a significant portion of the "new poor" - people who worked their whole lives only to find themselves food insecure in their later years.

This group includes people who may have a roof over their heads but live in substandard conditions to save money:

• People living in converted garages.
• Families living in overcrowded apartments (sometimes 10+ people to a flat).
• Individuals living in homes without basic facilities like flushing toilets or kitchens.

The "new poor" also includes people hit by unexpected crises that the average savings account can't handle:

• Mental health struggles that lead to job loss.
• Marital breakdowns or domestic issues that leave one partner without resources.
• Former inmates struggling to reintegrate into the workforce.