Butcher giving struggling families free meat at Christmas says need is growing

For three generations, a Rabat butcher has been discreetly offering free meat parcels to those in need and this year demand is particularly high.

Alex Falzon, from Slais Butcher, has rolled up his sleeves for decades to prepare bags of meat for families struggling to make ends meet.

“My family have been doing this for over 50 years. My nannu, Salvu ‘Slais’, began this, my father Pawlu continued it and now it is me,” said Falzon.

“They believed that if you know there are people who need help and you can, in fact, help them, then you must.”

Slais Butchers has a three-generation tradition of donating meat to the needy. Photo: Jonathan Borg

Falzon explained that, over the years, his family’s generosity has earned the butcher in Tal-Virtù a reputation as a place people can turn to for help, especially around Christmas.

However, he said that most of the people who benefit do not ask for assistance directly.

“They might feel more embarrassed to approach me themselves, so other people ask on their behalf, whether they know it or not,” he revealed.

“It doesn’t matter who you are; it could be anyone. All I need to know is their religion, so I know whether or not to put pork in the bag.”

Alex Falzon, with a portrait of his father, Pawlu, from whom he inherited this initiative from.

Each parcel contains a variety of meats, including mincemeat, cuts of beef, chicken fillets and classic pink Dewfresh sausages. 

He said the aim is to provide meat that can be used for different meals and frozen to last longer.

According to Falzon, the number of families relying on this tradition has grown significantly.

“I think there must have been an increase in poverty,” he said. “We are feeling a difference on our end. However, most people aren’t noticing or seeing that increase. It’s all behind the scenes.”

Some bags of meat prepared for families.

This year, he expects to donate around double the amount of last year. “Last year, we gave away around 16 or 17 bags; however, this year, we already gave away 21 and, by Tuesday, I am pretty sure we will have given away around 30,” he said.

Despite the festive season being his busiest period, Falzon said giving away meat and potentially losing income is not a concern, in part due to this being a busy time of the year for him and also because people donate money for his initiative. 

“This is my nature; I was raised like this and all my family is the same. Money is not the priority. When you see someone in need, you have to do something,” he said.