Stacks of boxes packed with foodstuffs and rows of crockery and dinnerware fill the bare room, making it slightly more worthy of being deemed a kitchen.

Catherine Belli welcomes me inside and offers a slice of cake.

“It’s been lovely – we haven’t been hungry at all in these past few days,” she smiles, as she continued unpacking plates, bowls, mugs, pots and pans.

Ms Belli, 39, and her husband Adonis, 30, who live together with Mr Belli’s 24-year-old sister Graziella and Ms Belli’s 31-year-old brother Kevin in a decrepit house in Qormi, were “overwhelmed” by the generosity demonstrated by The Sunday Times of Malta readers.

Following last week’s article highlighting their plight, donations flowed in, ranging from foodstuffs to crockery, cutlery, sheets and curtains. They were also offered jobs – the two women will be starting work tomorrow.

Last week, the family spoke to this newspaper about their struggles after severe mental health problems left a harrowing mark on the couple. Despite Mr Belli having a full-time job, he and his wife had to resort to selling their wedding rings to pay for food and medication. They have sometimes gone up to two days without food, living on a diet of white bread, pasta and chicken noodles.

It’s been lovely – we haven’t been hungry at all in these past few days

The family had one rusty pot between them used to cook and warm up whatever food they managed to get as well as to heat up water before taking a bath.

“Providence has been so kind to us,” Mr Belli says.

“People have been so very generous and the response was amazing. We’re so grateful to everyone out there for helping us get on our feet.”

Mr Belli first placed a tentative phone call to Charles Saliba, the director of NGO Daqqa t’Id foundation, after spotting an article in Times of Malta on another poverty-stricken family.

“I thought maybe he could help us out of this situation. And we’re so thankful,” he said. Mr Saliba also expressed his thanks, adding that Mr Belli even donated a portion of what he received to another struggling mother and her sick child.

“From the little they have, they are also trying to help out others,” Mr Saliba said.

Benefactors have also offered the family two bedrooms and some furniture, although Mr Saliba is still looking for a suitable location to store it while the house undergoes the necessary repairs.

The NGO will also be organising a collection day on June 13 in Gozo and on June 14 in Malta, where pick-up trucks will be touring the island to collect any donations right outside benefactors’ doorsteps.

“We urge people to donate whatever they can such as foodstuffs, clothes, furniture – anything as long as it’s in a good condition. As an NGO, we help other families in need so please let us know if you have anything to donate and we will come to collect it at your door.”

For monetary donations and foodstuffs, phone 9902 6827.

For material objects and furniture, phone 9985 8118 or 7994 6548.

The family’s joy at readers’ generosity was somewhat dampened by some comments making the rounds on the social media. Mr Belli responds to those questions.

How did you manage to wind up in this situation?

Before my mum passed away five years ago, this house was a palace. But since then, I fell into a depression and had to be hospitalised. My wife also suffered from severe post-natal depression and ended up hospitalised as well. Graziella took care of our two children while Catherine was recovering. I wanted to fix up the house, but I couldn’t afford to repair the roof. Rainwater seeped in, destroying most of our furniture. We had to throw most of it away.

How come you are forced to go without food but you’re not skinny?

I’ve been on anti-depressants for the past three years while Catherine has been prescribed them since last year. They make you gain weight. Additionally, we can’t afford to eat healthy food like fruit and vegetables so our diet mainly consists of bread, pasta and pastizzi – stuff which is cheap to buy but not very healthy.

How come there are four adults and only one is employed?

Kevin spent nine years working as a deliveryman but was laid off after the company went bankrupt. Graziella and Catherine will be starting work tomorrow. We hope Kevin manages to find a job as well.

How come you did not sell your car to buy food?

I made a terrible, misguided mistake in buying my €7,000 car some years ago and I’ve paid dearly for it. I had to take out a loan which I’m still paying off. Selling it at its current market price won’t cover my loan.