Bank of Valletta has once again this year extended its support to Caritas (Malta). The bank’s sponsorship was presented by the bank’s chief executive officer Tonio Depasquale to Caritas director Mgr Victor Grech, during a courtesy visit to Bank of Valletta’s head office in Santa Venera. Mgr Grech was accompanied by Caritas administrative secretary Anglu Fenech.

“We are delighted to extend our support, year after year, to Caritas (Malta), underlining our appreciation and acknowledgement of the most important social role that your organisation plays in Maltese society,” said Mr Depasquale, in greeting Mgr Grech.

The bank’s sponsorship is directed towards supporting Caritas in the running of its Employee Assistance Pro-gramme, which is directed at supporting working people who may face various types of difficulties, including falling victim to drug abuse.

Mr Depasquale said that the support that BOV extends to Caritas also highlights the importance that BOV gives to its corporate social responsibility. In this regard, BOV has a strong social pillar that forms part of its Community Programme through which, every year, the bank invests part of its profits in worthy community initiatives.

Mgr Grech thanked Bank of Valletta for continuing to support Caritas.

“We rely on the support of benefactors and sponsors such as the Bank of Valletta to continue with our work among people in difficulty within the community,” he said.

Caritas (Malta) is involved in a wide range of support services. “We offer help to people with psychological or psycho-spiritual problems, widowed and separated people, the elderly, people with gambling or alcohol problems, the victims of usury, lonely young people, people at risk from HIV/AIDS, and those who are homeless”, said Mgr Grech, explaining the services provided by Caritas.

“These are among the services provided alongside our extensive drug rehabilitation project, for which Caritas is mostly renowned” he added, pointing out that although Caritas’ expenses exceed Lm40,000 a month, its services are offered free of charge.