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The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, today (April 4) visited the People's Food Bank in Sai Ying Pun run by St James' Settlement.
On arrival Mr Tang was briefed by the Chief Executive Officer of St James' Settlement, Mr Michael Lai, on the centre's short-term food assistance service project. He then chatted with the elderly and new arrivals receiving food assistance so as to learn more about their living conditions.
Mr Tang said that in view of increasing food prices, the Government has earmarked an additional $100 million in the 2011-12 Budget for the continued operation of food bank projects.
Mr Tang said that food assistance provided short-term relief for the grassroots. However, the Government should also work to improve their livelihood through various means such as raising the wage level of low-income workers and improving the social security system. He hoped the implementation of minimum wage, the Community Care Fund and the various relief measures proposed by the Budget would bring improvements to the livelihood of the underprivileged.
Since 2009 Government funding has been provided to five non-governmental organisations to provide food assistance to people in need. Up to February 2011, about 45 000 persons have benefitted from these assistance schemes.
The People's Food Bank operated by St Jame's Settlement is one of the five government-funded projects. Up to February this year, it had assisted more than 12 000 service users.
Ends/Monday, April 4, 2011
Issued at HKT 19:11
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