Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1283588
9 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 30 AUGUST 2020 CULTURE Victory Kitchen helped over 6,000 Maltese families by serving 19,000 meals during recent months VICTORY Kitchen was set up earlier this year with the sole in- tention of delivering food to the families that have been hit hard- est by the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. It is a food charity organisation operating through a network of local restaurants, social workers and logistics com- panies. Spearheaded by Rafel Sammut of Briju Restaurant, who is also assisted by a number of chefs who have joined forces to help as many people as possi- ble during these difficult times. "Just one week after shutting our doors due to the COV- ID-19 pandemic, my chefs and I were already feeling restless and bored at home," Sammut said. "That evening during my daily conversation with a close friend who works at the hospi- tal, we exchanged ideas and one of them stuck – Victory Kitch- en. The next day, I proposed this concept to my brother and fellow chefs, their feedback was encouraging and so off we went with the aim of feeding one fam- ily a day." "In our first four days we fed 16 families and in our second week we fed 54 families. At the end of our third week it was 74 families, with the help of three other local chefs and many more wanting to sign up." To date, Victory Kitchen has helped 6,621 families, by donat- ing over 19,576 meals. Due to the constant need for assistance, especially during the current situation, Victory Kitch- en will be organising a fundrais- ing event in September. "We need all the help we can get to reach our goal, and this is why we are hosting a fundrais- ing event," Sammut said. "This involves a swim starting from Ċirkewwa, going around Comi- no, up to Gozo and going back to Ċirkewwa, covering a total of 15.1km. The exact date and starting location will be con- firmed later on, depending on weather conditions." Those wishing to help, can par- ticipate by donating €100. One can contact Victory Kitchen through Facebook or by calling on 9990 6056. Funds will be used to feed families in need. "There are thousands of fami- lies that are still in need. Victory Kitchen translates humble food into hope, faith, and courage for those who might otherwise re- main hungry. We intend to con- tinue our services on a perma- nent basis and hopefully reach out to even more people over the coming months," Sammut said. On Monday 17 August, Rafel sammut, together with Hany Harb from Alibaba restaurant, Jean Galea Souchet from Cleland & Souchet, Robert Bonello, Zack De Marco and Marko Pavlovic headed to Beirut as 'Team Malta for Beirut'. They assisted families affected by the recent tragedy by cooking thousands of meals and distrib- uting 1000kg of raw produce. On Monday 17th August, Rafel, together with Hany Harb from Alibaba restaurant, Jean Galea Souchet from Cleland & Souchet, Robert Bonello, Zack De Marco and Marko Pavlovic headed to Beirut as 'Team Malta for Beirut' To date, Victory Kitchen has helped 6,621 families, by donating over 19,576 meals Those wishing to help, can participate by donating €100