“Hotmeal Canteen” programme to warm the hearts of needy residents with 30,000 nourishing hot meals
Hit hard by soaring food costs worldwide, low-income families in Hong Kong are not left with much money to spare after paying the rent, medical bills and tuition fees. In view of this, CLP Power Hong Kong Limited (CLP) partners with The Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) launch the Hotmeal Canteen programme. First piloted in Sham Shui Po, the Hotmeal Canteen programme aims to provide over 30,000 dietician-supervised hot meals in the coming 12 months for needy residents who have limited access to healthy square meals.
The Hotmeal Canteen programme will be operated by Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service (BOKSS), an agency member of HKCSS, through its social enterprise Lily House Restaurant to prepare the meals. Under the programme, eligible participants only need to pay HK$10 for a meal with rice, a dish and a bowl of soup. Those with financial difficulties may enjoy hot meals for free. All income collected will go into the fund to benefit more needy residents. By leveraging the project, BOKSS will provide participants with career counselling, skill training and other related family services to help improve their livelihood and rebuild their social network.
The programme launching ceremony was held on 10 September, officiated by Mr Patrick Nip, Director of Social Welfare, HKSAR Government, Mr Richard Lancaster, Managing Director of CLP, Ms Christine Fang, Chief Executive of HKCSS and Mr Johnny Tsang, Chief Executive Officer of Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service. The ceremony treated over 150 members from the community to a hearty, nutritious luncheon in celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival, an important Chinese occasion to bring family members together to enjoy the brightest moon of the year.
Public donations to the Hotmeal Canteen programme are welcome. From now until 31 August 2012, CLP will match every HK$100 donation received dollar-for-dollar, up to a maximum of HK$400,000. All the donations will go into the fund for the project in support of canteen operation and more low-income families.
For further details, please visit︰www.clp.com.hk/hotmeal.
Officiating guests kicked-off the launch of Hotmeal Canteen Programme.
Officiating guests paired up with participants of Hotmeal Canteen in a cooking competition to prepare nutritious dishes for other guests.