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HONG KONG: Sino Group is co-operating with a group of volunteers to launch a non-profit foodbank in Hong Kong aimed at easing the city's major poverty problems.
The developer will offer its 1,604 sqft warehouse in Yau Tong, Kowloon for the operational hub of the Hong Kong's community foodbank.
It is also encouraging employees to volunteer their time and energy for the project.
"We will also launch a long-term volunteer programme with the foodbank to provide the assistance they need," executive director Daryl Ng Win Kong said.
The developer will recruit volunteers to help with the start-up of the foodbank in different phases, including renovating the warehouse, sorting out food products, conducting food drives and visiting the beneficiaries.
The campaign could expand to more Sino property donations in future if it is successful, but discussions for this are not currently being planned. The project stemmed from concerns felt by expatriates Christina Dean and Gabrielle Kirstein and their desire to do something to alleviate poverty in Hong Kong.
According to an Oxfam report released in December, 351,511 people over 65 years live in poverty, accounting for 40% of all poor groups in Hong Kong.
Another recent report noted that over one million Hong Kong residents lived below the poverty level.
A key dealmaker to connect the foodbank initiative with Sino was Kevin Yeung, a local businessman and also chairman of Unicef's special fund-raising committee. "They needed a platform and Sino Group is a great platform," Yeung said.
The foodbank will renovate the property donated by Sino into a food storage and handling space which meets all the necessary health and safety regulations.
At present, the facilities have received a recycling desk and renovation has begun on the kitchen area for sorting donated food goods.
Next month, it plans to hold a food drive to collect goods, followed by a special "warehouse day" in June. — SCMP
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