3rd July is recognised as the International Day of Co-operatives and the theme chosen for this year was ‘Rebuild Better Together’.

As part of an international campaign aimed to showcase how co-operatives around the globe are meeting the Covid-19 pandemic with solidarity and resilience, Koperattivi Malta donated a month’s worth of fresh local produce to Dar Papa Frangisku. 

Set up in 2016, Dar Papa Frangisku in Birkirkara is the first shelter home of its kind. It accommodates males aged between 18 to 59 who, because of various issues, end up homeless. The home provides warm meals, hygienic and laundry services all year round. More than 80 people a day benefit from the generosity of this home. This number increased drastically in recent months because of Covid-19.

The initiative by Koperattivi Malta, in collaboration with Caritas Malta, assisted the home through the provision of goods. The fruit and vegetables, fish, beef and dairy products donated are locally produced or sold through the Koperattivi Malta members. 

“Our co-operatives have shown a great deal of resilience in the last months as they faced the pandemic. They managed to keep their businesses afloat and keep the workers in full pay. The co-operative model has, once again, proved to be successful source of economic activity and job creation even in times of pandemic. Now it is our time to give something back and our 5,000 members are very happy to help,” said incoming CEO of Koperattivi Malta Daniel Schembri. 

Koperattivi Malta is a non-political organisation set up by the Co-operative Societies Act of 2001. It’s sole purpose is to represent, promote a co-operative movement in the Maltese islands. The entity’s mission is to provide vital service to its members in the fields of education, training and management consultancy. Koperattivi Malta is the Apex organisation for local cooperatives. 

Fondazzjoni Dar il-Hena would like to thank Koperattivi Malta for its gesture of solidarity on the International Day of Co-operatives. Fondazzjoni Dar il-Hena further expressed that this was also a thank you for the hard work the local Maltese producers who kept the local produce going carried out, amidst the difficulties they encountered during the Covid-19 pandemic and that this donation will continue to help them in giving a better service to their service users, while renewing their commitment towards Maltese society to help those less fortunate vulnerable families and individuals.