Demand for free lunch peaks as COVID cases spike
The number of people seeking a free lunch reached a peak in recent months when the number of coronavirus cases spiked, according to Caritas Malta director Anthony Gatt.
Meanwhile, the number of people turning to emergency shelters was at an all-time low for a range of factors – including coronavirus-related fears of living in an emergency shelter and restricted access due to quarantine and health requirements, he said.
“The free lunch service is at its peak with around 55 meals per day compared to an average of 40 daily meals in April,” Gatt explained, adding that the free lunch for people in need was offered at Dar Papa Franġisku in Birkirkara – one of two homeless shelters run by Fondazzjoni Dar il-Hena – a collaboration between Caritas Malta, the Family Ministry and The Alfred Mizzi Foundation.
This increase in numbers can be attributed to people seeking support after losing their jobs or having their income reduced due to the pandemic. Another contributing factor was that the service was better known, he said adding that emergency shelters were facing a new phenomenon with numbers dropping.
Emergency shelters
“Towards the end of 2019, we were noticing a decline in the number...