Watch: 'You are our family' - 11th edition of Caritas' Christmas lunch announced
They are expecting 600 people this year
An elderly man who once spent Christmas alone with nothing more than a sandwich last year found joy again when he attended Caritas’ annual Christmas lunch.
“There are so many other stories just like this man’s,” Caritas director Anthony Gatt said, while encouraging people to attend this year's lunch.
Gatt shared this experience while announcing the 11th edition of the lunch, which will once again be held at the Archbishop’s Curia. This year, Caritas is preparing to welcome around 600 people, with the support of roughly 100 volunteers. Last year, they received just under 600 people.
“I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who volunteers so that those without a family are not left alone,” Gatt said, while encouraging more people to join the meal.
Bernadette Briffa, Caritas’ head of counselling and social work, told Times of Malta that for the first time, volunteers kept in touch with participants over 60 who attended last year’s lunch.
“People truly appreciate the fact that someone is thinking of them and giving them a place at the table,” she said. “One person even told us, ‘You are our family.’ That left me speechless. It’s heartbreaking that some people do not have a sense of belonging within their own families.”
Briffa said she enjoys seeing people return year after year and building friendships with others they meets at the event.
“What’s beautiful is the dynamic of hospitality we see here. It’s lovely to see that people know how to receive, because not everyone does,” she said.
She appealed to parish churches and local councils to organise similar events in their communities.
The chairperson of the Alfred Mizzi Foundation said this year’s menu will remain the same as last year’s: vegetable soup to start, followed by turkey served with vegetables and potatoes.
Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Galea-Curmi praised the initiative, describing it as a “celebration of love.”
Anyone wishing to attend or inquire about the lunch may do so by phoning 7955 5915.