Since the fifth wave of the epidemic, many people have "stopped their hands and stopped" and the number of people who need material assistance has increased.
PARKnSHOP and the charity "Canteen Wise" launched the first smart food donation project - "Smart Reward" smart food donation machine in mid-June to promote food wise culture and provide food assistance to those in need.
The donation machine only accepts well-packaged dry goods
The "Smart Reward" smart food donation machine is equipped with a touch-sensitive interactive screen. Customers can scan the QR code on the "Money Rewards" or "Smart Food" mobile app to activate the process, while non-members can use Octopus.
The donation machine only accepts dry goods in intact packaging, unopened and clearly marked with an expiration date. Frozen food or liquid and glass containers will not be accepted.
Dong Aili, the founder of Canteen Pleasure, said that Canteen Pleasure will use the donated leftovers to make meals or food packs and distribute them free of charge to those in need of food assistance.
She pointed out that due to the impact of the epidemic, there has been a sharp increase in the number of requests for help from grassroots families or the unemployed. family application."
Food Wise’s “Freeze Meal” self-service dispenser program for frozen meals started in September 2020. Wang Minyi, Director of Partner and Resource Development Department of Food Wise, said that 3,000 members applied in January this year, but the fifth wave of the outbreak began in February. Received more than 10,000 waiting applications, more than 3 times.
Dong Aili added that some Baijia stores also have self-service pick-up machines for frozen meals to provide assistance to those affected by the epidemic who are unable to feed themselves.
She went on to point out that the appropriate distribution of supplies will depend on the type of dry food of the Smart Rewards Smart Food Donation Machine.
For example, "sugar can be compared to a grassroots child", and rice will be used to make meals and distribute them to partner institutions, school canteens, and "free food" self-service machines.
As for the specific number of beneficiaries, she said that she could not estimate the number of beneficiaries, and it would depend on the response of the first phase of the plan. Currently, Canteen Wise produces an average of 15,000 lunch boxes every day for about 3,000 families.
She appealed to the public to donate leftover food at home, without special donation of materials that can be used to make meals, but also welcomed the public to donate after shopping in the supermarket.
Mr. Ren Liangan, Managing Director of ParknShop, said that from mid-June, "Smart Rewards" smart food donation machines will be installed in 50 designated branches in the 18 districts of ParknShop, with the goal of recycling 150,000 kilograms of food within six months. will increase the number.
In order to encourage the public to donate leftover food and promote the culture of food wise, Ren pointed out that for every kilogram of dry food donated by customers through "Smart Rewards", customers can receive 50 points (equivalent to 1 yuan in cash) and deposit into their account. Or donate to Food Wise.
Mr. Yam Leung-an, Managing Director of ParknShop, said that taking into account the needs of various districts in Hong Kong, Kowloon and the New Territories, "Smart Reward" smart food donation machines will be placed in 50 designated supermarkets in 18 districts.
(Photo by Yao Chaowen)
The Legislative Council continues to review the budget appropriation. Zhou Xiaosong advocates regularization of unemployment assistance. Over 60% of the interviewed grassroots are not eligible to apply for unemployment assistance. Groups urge relaxation of application thresholds. To 5%, 188,000 people are unemployed, the labor union urges the government to regularize unemployment assistance
