The government will be investing €300,000 for a new food distribution scheme, a statement from Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity Michael Farrugia has announced.

The Minister said that the scheme will help about 20,000 families and will be distributed in thirty different localities.

The scheme will look to assist families who receive non-contributory benefits, who are 'means tested', and have a child under the age of sixteen.

It will also benefit persons eligible for non-contributory pension and hold a single status; and families who receive an energy benefit, and families who receive disability pension and not working.

Dr Farrugia then explained that in the past the quality of the products included biscuits, rice, jam and similar products, but would now use nutritional food products (as indicated in the photograph).

 

The scheme will be separated into three separate packets. The first will be granted to a person who is living alone and will reach 10,945, the second would be for two people and will benefit 5,074 people, the third would be for three persons living together and would help 2,362, and the final package, which for homes with an excess of three people, will get a combination of the first and third packets, and will help 1,109 persons.

The distribution will be as follows:

Malta: Schools from 17 to 19 April, at Social Security Offices from 20 to 24 April, and from LEAP Centers from 24 to 28 April.

Gozo: from Xewkija from 3 to 7 April, Rabat from 3 to 6 April, and Nadur from 3 to 4 April.

A call center will also be set up for a period, to provide assistance, either before, during and after delivery. There will be four lines open and will use specially trained people to assist every need through the telephone numbers: 22588924 or 22588929 or 22588964 or 79013090.