This winter as well, the Embassy of the Sovereign Order of Malta has continued the Basic Goods Project – an initiative through which food packages are distributed to socially disadvantaged families, people with disabilities, elderly individuals, and single persons with very low incomes.

Every two weeks, our volunteers gather in the garage of the Catholic Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, where they prepare the packages. Each package contains flour, rice, sugar, three types of pasta, salami, tomato sauce, wafers, lentils, milk, and sunflower oil.

“With these basic food products, we aim to meet the essential needs of people in need,” said Ambassador Ursula Hofter Zuccoli. “Unfortunately, food prices continue to rise, as do the prices of medicines, and this affects poor people very negatively,” she added. “Our idea is that the money people save thanks to the food we donate can be used to help pay heating bills or purchase necessary medication,” she explained further.

The packages are distributed at the two Catholic churches in Sofia, in the village of Malchika (Pleven region), and in various municipalities across Northern Bulgaria. Last year, the Embassy distributed more than 1,000 packages to nearly 500 families and individuals. The project runs from November through March, inclusive.