The Maltese Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMOM) recently distributed hampers to several needy Gozitan families and to charitable institutions in Gozo. The presentation ceremony was held at the association's Gozo headquarters in St George's Square. Families from St George's parish as well as from other parishes of Gozo benefited.

The presentation was made by Dr Alfred Caruana Galizia, president of Maltese Association of the Knights of Malta. Mgr. John Dimech, Honorary Canon of St George's basilica, Principal Chaplain of the Maltese Association and Grand Cross ad Honorem blessed the hampers. The ceremony was also attended by Archpriest Pawlu Cardona who received two hampers for onward distribution to two needy families in St George's parish. The event was coordinated by two Gozitan members of the Order, who also attended the event, Chris Galea and Dr Paul George Pisani. A number of Gozo volunteers also attended the event.

The presentation was held at the end of one of the regular meetings of the Gozo Volunteer Group of the Order of Malta, a brainchild of Mgr John Dimech, who meet regularly in their Victoria headquarters. The volunteer group performs hospital visiting, help in the organization of events for the sick and the elderly in various parishes, visits to the housebound, support for other philanthropic organizations and are generally engaged in activities of social promotion in the spirit of the Order - Tuitio Fidei et Obsequio Pauperum - defence of the faith and service to the poor.

The group is currently working on the annual pilgrimage of sick persons to Lourdes scheduled for the 2nd to the 6th May, an international event organized by the different associations of the Order of Malta.