87-year-old granny Liang now lives alone in Kwun Tong, with the living allowance for the elderly as her sole source of income. To save money, her daily diet is very simple and barely has any nutrition. Like granny Liang, many elderlies will reduce their expenditure on meals to maintain their lives, which will surely affect their health conditions.
To help mitigate this problem, CITIC CLSA Trust (the Trust) donated over HKD 500,000 to Po Leung Kuk (PLK) and jointly launched the “CITIC CLSA Trust x PLK Hotmeal Programme for the Elderly” on 4 February 2023.
The programme runs from February to August 2023. During this period, CITIC CLSA Trust sponsors the community canteen at PLK’s “Lau Chan Siu Po Neighbourhood Elderly Centre” in Kwun Tong district to provide three affordable and nutritious meals a day for elderlies with financial difficulties. Community Outreach organizes volunteers to visit the elderly at home and deliver care packages during traditional festivals. The programme is expected to benefit approximately 43,000 people.
On 4 February, the programme kick-off day, CITIC CLSA’s CFO Mr. Yuan Feng and Head of Executive Office and Human Resources Ms. Jodi Wang presented the donation cheque to PLK’s Chairman Dr. Daniel C.Y. Chan, MH. In their remarks, Dr. Chan and Ms. Wang expressed hopes of future collaborations of the two organizations to continue serving grassroots communities in Hong Kong. Following the ceremony, management members from both sides rolled up their sleeves and set a good example by packing and distributing the first batch of hot meals to the elderlies in the canteen.
Subsequently, Community Outreach volunteers visited the homes of the elderly in need and delivered CNY care packages to them. The packages were full of CNY style confections and staple food items, specially prepared with caring and thoughtful wishes. When CITIC CLSA volunteers visited granny Liang at home, she was very happy, “Now I can enjoy nutritious hot meals in the community canteen. The meals include not only vegetables and meat, but also soups and fruits. They cater to the dietary needs of older generations. Thank you so much for your kindness.”
Qin Qian, a CITIC CLSA volunteer, took part in the activity together with his son Qin Zhi. “Visiting the homes of the elderly made me think a lot. My own parents are getting old as well. It is important for us to spend more time with them and help them solve life problems. This activity also gave me a more comprehensive understanding of PLK’s various elderly services.” Qin Qian said after the visit.
Established in 1878, PLK is one of the oldest and leading charitable organisations in Hong Kong. Dedicated in protecting the young, caring for the elderly and the underprivileged, aiding the poor and healing the sick, educating the young and nurturing their morality, it provides multifaceted social services to all ages in the community through its 300 service units.