Companionship is most precious during the time of pandemic, as it provides a sense of normality.
Six years ago, Ah Hung moved from mainland China to Hong Kong with her son and daughter. Her husband’s limited income was the sole source for their everyday expenses. The family enjoyed some long-awaited improvements when they relocated from a subdivided flat in Sham Shui Po to interim housing, but the pandemic soon upended their lives into a desperate struggle.
“The physical and mental stress during the pandemic was immense, causing many sleepless nights. I needed help.” Ah Hung recalled. Financial stress also forced her to turn down friends’ invitations to gatherings, simply because she could not afford them. “After a few times, they just didn’t ask as much, making me feel even more lonely and vulnerable.” Fortunately, the mother of one of her daughter’s classmates introduced her to Food Angel, where she had access to food to support her family’s basic needs. Ah Hung even joined Food Angel’s volunteer team, demonstrating how community support and a simple act can lead to both self and mutual help.
Since its establishment in 2011, Food Angel has partnered with Maxim’s Group in its mission of reducing food waste and providing food assistance. Astor Wong, Head of Partnership and Resources Development at Food Angel, described Maxim’s instrumental role in their growth, “Back when the first wave hit in 2020, we received a call from Maxim’s, asking if there was anything we needed. Right away, they donated 100,000 masks and 65,000 set meal coupons (valued at over HK$3 million) for distribution to the elderly and underprivileged students.”
When the fifth wave brought a surge in COVID-19 cases as well as the number of recently-unemployed help seekers, Food Angel was unable to meet the sudden demand for hot meals. Once again, Maxim’s donated an additional HK$1 million in food coupons. “These meal coupons were a timely rescue to our imminent need,” said Wong.
Meanwhile, the pandemic also restricted outing opportunities for many elderly citizens. To address their needs, Maxim’s Group, The Jade Club and The Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council (NAAC) came together for the “Virtual Yum Cha” campaign, recreating the familiar Maxim’s Palace at three NAAC daycare centres. Staff members at the centres were transformed into dim sum masters and servers, pushing the familiar dim sum carts, serving nostalgic and heartwarming dim sums and teas, and putting smiles on the faces of those who missed the days of frequenting teahouses. Due to the pandemic, volunteers could not visit daycare centres as they normally would, but they danced and played games with the elderly via streaming calls, giving care despite the restrictions of social distancing.
Life is full of uncertainty during the pandemic; but those who look to help, will always find ways to provide it.
