The Alfred Mizzi Foundation has donated more than €2 million to worthy causes over the past four years as well as entering into long-term commitments with several charitable organisations.

Speaking at an event to mark the Foundation’s 20th anniversary, Chairman Julian Sammut said the entity, solely financed by Alf. Mizzi and Sons Ltd., had managed to increase its contributions in recent years after assisting a number of social, cultural and environmental organisations over the past two decades.

The Foundation is heavily involved in Soup Kitchens, which include Dar Papa Frangisku – a joint venture with Caritas Malta and the Government – and il-Kcina ta’ Marta the ‘dark’ soup kitchen at tal-Virtu, which began as Solidarity Meals during the Covid pandemic with the support of dozens of staff and volunteers.

The Foundation is also a major supporter of Foodbank Lifeline, Malta’s largest and most active foodbank, which has grown from supplying a few grocery items to more than 400 family hampers per week, as well supplying several smaller foodbanks with raw food on an ongoing basis.

Mr Sammut said: “The food effort has been nothing short of remarkable: through foodbanks and soup kitchens, the Foundation now provides around 125,000 meals per year, which means more than 350 people are benefitting on a daily basis. Of course, we couldn’t achieve this without the hardworking NGOs actively involved in this sector and the wonderful people who run them.”

The Foundation is also involved, among others, with Programm Tbissima, an organisation headed by President Emeritus Marie Louise Coleiro that provides assistance to children coming from difficult family backgrounds; Zibel and Coast is Clear, which have rallied scores of volunteers to clean up the environment; and the financing of the new state of the art Tapestry Chamber, which will form part of the new museum at St John’s Co-Cathedral.

The Caritas Community Centre, a state-of-the-art hub that was the brainchild of President Emeritus George Abela and opened in 2021, is the Foundation’s largest ever investment and assists some 2,000 people a year.

Mr Sammut said: “Setting up the Foundation was one of the most impactful decisions in the history of Alf Mizzi and Sons. What started off as a few random donations by the company to random causes many years ago has matured into a professional set-up with worthy objectives and enduring partners involved in social, cultural, environmental and educational fields.

“Over the years, we have been involved with so many wonderful causes – both big and small – and come into contact with equally wonderful people. None of this would have been possible without them and the hard-working volunteers who strive to do their bit to make Malta a better place for everyone.

“Projects of this nature require constant input, and we will continue to support these good causes to the best of our ability. Our partners inspire us and fuel our drive.”

Together with Caritas, the Foundation will soon be hosting its annual Christmas Day lunch at the Archbishop’s Curia, which has come to be known as L-Ikla ta’ l-Arcisqof, during which the corridors of the Archbishop’s Curia are decked with decorated tables so 500 guests may enjoy a festive menu comprising vegetable cream soup and stuffed turkey.

“The chatter of happiness and excitement is contagious as the flotsam and jetsam of our society come together for a few hours of Christmas cheer. The spirit of that day really sums up what Christmas and our Foundation are all about.”