According to Fr Marcellino Micallef, the biggest obstacle to opening the Valletta soup kitchen was not funding or logistics, but public resistance. While many people expressed support for the initiative in principle, that support often disappeared when it came to having such a service in their own neighbourhoods.

"Nobody wants these people so near to them," Fr Marcellino explained, recalling the pushback he faced in the early stages of the project. The kitchen was opened in St Ursola Street, Valletta, nearly five years ago.

For him, this resistance revealed a deeper problem in society, which is a tendency to view people experiencing poverty not as individuals in need, but as a problem to be kept out of sight. He challenged this perception, saying that "poor people are not criminals".

For Fr Marcellino, the soup kitchen was not just a project, but a long-held calling. A defining moment came during a mission in Guatemala where he encountered poverty and misery. He was then inspired by a mass reading which read, "Give them something to eat". This phrase gave him clarity and triggered action, which eventually led to the opening of the soup kitchen.

The soup kitchen serves a wide range of vulnerable people, including those with mental health issues, the homeless, people struggling with drug addiction, and victims of usury (exploitative lending). It serves around 90-100 people daily, with around one sixth of them being foreign.

For Fr Marcellino, the soup kitchen is not just about meals, it is about restoring dignity and independence. In fact, since its inception, the kitchen's management found over 300 jobs for people in need of employment. They also offer services such as showers and takeaway food for the evening. Moreover, services are adapted to individual needs, for example some people are served at their table if they are unable to carry their trays.

The soup kitchen has a heavy reliance on donations, especially for food. The Maltese people's generosity is central to its operations. Fr Marcellino said that faith and belief in providence underpin the project, and he described the daily activities of the soup kitchen as a "miracle". For him, faith is not abstract, but it is practical trust in God, in people (including the poor), and in himself. He credits faith with sustaining him through the overwhelming resistance that he faced.

"It's God's project," Fr Marcellino said. "It would be impossible otherwise."

Many people at the soup kitchen come from extreme and often shocking backgrounds, such as abuse, neglect, and instability. Poverty is often the outcome of these deeper personal and social issues. Fr Marcellino said that listening to the people's stories is an essential skill. The soup kitchen is not just a place for food, but a place where people are heard.

"We cannot solve all their problems," Fr Marcellino said. "But we can accompany them in their stories."

The soup kitchen literally saves lives in some cases. Fr Marcellino told the story of a homeless man who came into the kitchen and collapsed of dehydration. They called the ambulance, and he was saved. This man then became a regular at the soup kitchen.

Systemic poverty

Fr Marcellino strongly rejected the idea that poverty is the fault of the individuals themselves. He argued that this belief allows society to avoid responsibility. Rather, he framed poverty as created by systems and societal structures, and emphasised how quickly anyone can fall into poverty. There is an increasing number of people who are employed but are still struggling due to causes like marital breakdowns and high cost of living, he said. This is the case even in a seemingly affluent society. According to Fr Marcellino, poverty is not simply someone else's problem - it belongs to everyone in society. He thus urged Malta to move beyond awareness, and into action.

Fr Marcellino insisted that the poor deserve the same quality and respect as anyone else, and rejected the idea that they are less than others. He criticised simplistic or punitive responses, such as the criminalisation of homelessness. He instead called for systemic, compassionate solutions, and emphasised dignity as a right, not charity. He said that he also sees the poor as a source of learning, rather than just recipients of help.

"They are not second class citizens," he said.

Fr Marcellino also highlighted a contradiction whereby enough food exists, yet people still go hungry. Large amounts of food are wasted, and he said that this is a key issue to address. He also put a strong emphasis on access to shelter, which he described as a basic human right, and suggested that this should be a priority for society.

The most meaningful moments for Fr Marcellino are those in which he is able to see people rebuild their lives. He recounted his encounters with former beneficiaries of the soup kitchen who are now working, and he described these moments as both unexpected and powerful. He emphasised that employment restores dignity, not just income.

When asked what he envisions for the future of the soup kitchen, Fr Marcellino said he would like to invest in a cold room and a larger storage space. In the long-term, he would also like to open up a shelter for vulnerable youths, particularly 16-year-olds transitioning out of residential care institutions.

Former drug addict shares his experience

The Malta Independent on Sunday also spoke to a former drug addict who is a regular at the soup kitchen. Daniel (not his real name) was on drugs for more than 30 years, and he said that addiction is constant and all-consuming, financially devastating, and social destructive. Drug culture is widespread and accessible, as there is a wide option of pushers who are available for delivery 24/7. He said that as a drug addict, the first thing you think about when you wake up is where you are going to get the money for your next purchase of drugs. He also said that one time, he spent his entire month's pension in just four hours to buy drugs. Some people sell their bodies for it, some sell their furniture, and some even sell their floor tiles.

"You don't care about your children, your family, your parents, you don't care. It's drugs, drugs, drugs all the time. Always in your mind," Daniel said.

When asked how the soup kitchen helped him become clean from his addiction, Daniel said that it provided routine, social connection, and protection from triggers. It helps people stay occupied and avoid relapse. At the kitchen, Daniel met people who were experienced in dealing with addicts, and so he found a support system who were able to help him stay clean.