Rice for the Elderly for Mid-Autumn Festival

On September 14, 2018, nearly 30 members and missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worked with Foodlink, a registered Hong Kong charity, to package rice as a service project for the Centers for the Elderly in Tsai Wan and Sau Kei Wan in time for Mid-autumn Festival.

Mr. Joel Chan, the Program Manager of Foodlink shared, “It costs almost 40 to 50 Hong Kong dollars to have a meal outside of the home. We have observed that there are many needy individuals in the community so have invited rice donors to help them.”

Foodlink is dedicated to fighting hunger among those in need. They send out volunteers to collect surplus food from food donors and deliver it to beneficiary partners. They also work with many corporations who donate rice and volunteer to pack the rice to send to the needy.

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints donated 33 bags of rice,” said Mr. Chan. “The Church’s volunteers repackage the 25 kilogram bags into 1.5 kilogram packages. We will send the 540 completed packages to the Centers for the Elderly.”

One of the volunteers said, “This is a great experience to work together in the service of others."

Another volunteer expressed, “I do not have many opportunities to participate in service activities, especially for the elderly. I am very excited and pleased to have this chance.”

A third volunteer shared, “I was once the one who received help. As a child, I was so grateful to know there was someone who cared about me, particularly during hard times. Help from others, especially from those who did not know me, made me feel cared for and gave me hope. I am grateful for service opportunities like this rice packaging project where I can now give back and help others in need.”

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints will continue to work with Foodlink to do similar rice packing service projects on a monthly basis to help provide for those in need.