Jockey Club helps Food Angel expand hot meal service

03/25/2014

With demand for affordable and nutritious food among the underprivileged growing, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust has donated HK$18.55 million to the Bo Charity Foundation to provide free meals in West Kowloon and the New Territories. Coupled with the initiative of the St. James’ Settlement in East Kowloon, the Trust-supported hot meal service now covers most parts of the city.

Club Steward Dr Eric Li Ka Cheung today (25 March) joined Secretary for the Environment Wong Kam-sing, Bo Charity Foundation Honorary Chairman Anthony Leung, Founder Gigi Tung and Food Angel Ambassador Jacky Cheung to officiate at the launching ceremony of the Food Angel Jockey Club Food Rescue and Hot Meal Assistance Programme-cum-opening ceremony of the Food Angel Sham Shui Po Central Kitchen.

Dr Li said, “The Jockey Club is delighted to assist Food Angel in running its second kitchen by donating over HK$18 million for launching the Food Angel Jockey Club Food Rescue and Hot Meal Assistance Programme. Food Angel will provide the needy in West Kowloon and the New Territories with free lunch and dinner through non-governmental organisation partners with the aim of saving the food expenses of the underprivileged. It is expected to serve some two million hot meals over the next three years.”

With the Trust’s support, the 280-square-metre kitchen that opened last December is well equipped with utensils and expected to produce two million meals over three years. More than 90% of the ingredients for the meals is recovered surplus food, amounting to some 1,020 tonnes each year. In the first year of operation, some 1,500 hot meals and 500 food packs, mostly from corporate donors, will be delivered to district partners daily. The new kitchen also enables the charity to collect surplus food from remote areas like Chek Lap Kok and create job opportunities for the disabled and the disadvantaged.

The Trust last year donated HK$19.7 million to the St. James’ Settlement to cover the cost of equipping and running a kitchen in Kwun Tong to prepare hot meals with donated surplus food for the needy in East Kowloon.

The Club itself has been a staunch advocate against wasting food, regularly donating tonnes of surplus food to Food Angel.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club

Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is not only one of the world’s leading horse racing organisations, but also Hong Kong’s largest community contributor, donating HK$1.95 billion in 2012/13. In addition, the Club is a major taxpayer, Hong Kong’s single largest by far, generating over HK$17.64 billion in 2012/13 for public funds. The Club pioneers technology applications for sporting and betting entertainment, striving for the highest levels of customer service. As a membership club, it is recognised as one of Asia’s most prestigious. These multifaceted roles make it a well-respected and remarkable organisation, dedicated to its mission of enhancing the quality of life for all Hong Kong people.