More fundraising incentives might help save Caritas from its substantial financial woes, according to assistant director Mgr Carmelo Farrugia.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of next month’s instalment of the annual Caritas Week fundraiser, Mgr Farrugia said he would do everything within his power to avoid downsizing the organisation.
I want people to find an open door when they visit us for help, and for that we need the funds to operate
“We are facing tough financial times. I want people to find an open door when they visit us for help, and for that we need the funds to operate,” Mgr Farrugia said.
Last month Caritas founder Mgr Victor Grech warned that if the organisation’s financial situation was not improved it might not be able to sustain its drug rehabilitation services in the near future.
The voluntary organisation has been running at a deficit of €250,000 for the past three years.
Mgr Grech said that in recent years the organisation had even been forced to take out bank loans and was struggling to make ends meet.
Despite the discouraging financial situation, Mgr Farrugia said he had confidence in Maltese society’s “sense of giving”.
“I hope we will find the funds. We have always depended on charitable giving and I think we will receive again,” he said.
Caritas week, being held between September 27 and October 6, will this year culminate in the first ever Caritas Trail. The incentive invites civilians to walk, run or cycle along different routes in aid of the organisation. Sponsored by Bank of Valletta and Maltapost, the trail is expected to attract a large number of donations.
Mgr Farrugia described the trail as a community endeavour, adding that if he could do it, any one could.
To take part in the Caritas trail ask for a participant form at any BOV or Maltapost branch or download an online form from www.caritas.org.
Participation is against a donation of €10.
Yesterday’s press conference was abruptly adjourned to the distant lunch call of a young reforming heroin addict who bellowed out a regimental “Lunch, lunch, lunch.”
The former British barracks is currently home to 20 residents, among them one young serial substance abuser who told Times of Malta he had visited his father in a similar institution as he grew up.
“I’m here and I’m trying because when I have children, I don’t want them to be in my situation,” he said as he tucked into a steaming plate of inmate-made lasagne at a former barrack turned dining hall.
The inmates spend an average of nine months at one of the organisation’s four centres and have only officially completed a programme once in employment.
Kevin Pace, one of the San Blas centre’s facilitators, described the Caritas support services as “humane and essential”.