On May 1, communities across Malta will lace up their shoes, roll out their yoga mats and take to the track, all for a worthy cause: to fight hunger.
Move For Meals, the annual charity event dedicated to tackling food insecurity, returns with a packed public holiday full of fun fitness events to turn movement into meals. Every ticket purchased for the activities at the fundraising event buys a nutritious meal for someone in need via Dar Hosea, Soup Kitchen OFM Valletta and The New Beginnings Foundation.
The popular initiative’s impact has grown dramatically in recent years, from providing 75 meals in 2021, to 770 meals in 2022, to an extraordinary 2,040 meals in 2023. This year, Move For Meals aims to go even further, inspiring people of all ages to move, give and make a difference through exercise-driven fundraising that ensures no one in the community has to go hungry. And to make it happen, the organisers have launched a crowdfunding campaign through Zaar, which hopes to raise €2,000 for this excellent cause.
“Crowdfunding allows us to bring the whole community into this mission,” says Fabienne Buhagiar, part of the team behind the initiative. “Every single donation, no matter how small, translates into much-needed food for people facing hardship. We’ve seen how powerful collective action can be, and this is our way of inviting everyone to be part of the change. By showing up, donating and spreading the word, individuals can help feed the body, strengthen the community and take a stand against hunger. Join the movement on 1 May and be part of something bigger than yourself.”
Food insecurity is a growing problem amid the cost-of-living crisis, with 20.1% of the local population at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Move For Meals offers a simple but powerful way for individuals to make a difference – by moving their bodies to put food on someone else’s table.
“Move For Meals is all about meaningful movement, transforming physical exercise into fundraising,” explains Buhagiar. “As well as providing meals and raising awareness, we hope to encourage healthier lifestyles through movement, not only to promote better physical and mental well-being, but also to bring the community together.”
This year’s event on May 1 will take place from 6am to 1pm at St Paul’s Missionary College in Rabat. The day will offer something for everyone of all ages and abilities to enjoy, from an early morning run and track activities, to yoga sessions with Flexybend Yoga Malta, fitness challenges, ‘Jungle Box’ kids’ events and community fun runs for young and old. Tickets for individual events start at just €5, each one directly funding a meal for someone in need.
Whether participants stretch, sprint or simply show up, every action helps make an impact – and those unable to attend on the day can still donate through the Zaar crowdfunding platform to join the community in its stand against hunger.
To buy tickets to the fitness events on May 1, donate to the Move For Meals crowdfunding campaign or find out more, visit www.zaar.com.mt.
