Named ‘Sik Tak Fan La’ (meaning ‘the meal is ready to serve’ in Cantonese), the programme aims to involve the public in the shared mission of 7-Eleven and Pei Ho Counterparts. Here’s how it works: 7-Eleven will donate HK$0.5 to Pei Ho Counterparts for each designated 7-SELECT meal box sold in its network of over 1,000 7-Eleven stores all over Hong Kong.
Lasting for a year to enable more members of the public to take part in this worthy cause, the programme is anticipated to raise HK$2,000,000 to support Pei Ho Counterparts, which is equivalent to providing over 80,000 meals and supporting 5 months of food assistance to those in need.
Speaking at the launch, Mr Choo Peng Chee, Chief Executive Officer of DFI Retail North Asia which owns 7-Eleven, said, “As part of the Hong Kong community, and an organization that prioritises its corporate social responsibility, we are committed to contributing to society.”
“We are inspired by Pei Ho Counterparts’ dedication to serving the community, and have been partnering with Ming Gor, its founder, since 2017,” he continued. “With 7-Eleven’s extensive stores network, we believe we can create a stronger bond with the neighbourhoods we serve, and make a real difference.”
Mr Chan Cheuk Ming (‘Ming Gor’), the founder of Pei Ho Counterparts, expressed his concern on the adverse impact created by the ongoing pandemic, as the increasing costs and growing need for services put a lot of pressure on their operations. “I am incredibly grateful for 7-Eleven’s continuous support of our work and their hands-on involvement at every stage,” he remarked. “I am sure their passion and care have touched the hearts of many.”
Ming Gor pointed out that the donations raised by ‘Sik Tak Fan La’ would be an important, stable and ongoing source of support for their daily operations, and enable them to give greater help to the community. “I sincerely hope that more people will support this programme,” he appealed.
What’s Hong Kong’s poverty status?
There has been a significant rise, in the past few years, in the number of people living in poverty in Hong Kong. Currently, people living below the poverty line number 1.65 million, accounting for 24% of the total population. This translates into about 1 in every 4 persons living in poverty.
According to the latest Hong Kong Poverty Situation Report, there are over 580,000 elderly people living in poverty, including 210,000 who live by themselves. Many grassroots have lost their jobs and a stable income as a result of the pandemic, and they are struggling financially. The number of people in need of immediate emergency assistance is on the rise.
The 7-Eleven and Pei Ho Counterparts collaboration
7-Eleven and Pei Ho Counterparts – a social enterprise founded by Mr Chan Cheuk Ming in Sham Shui Po - have always shared the same vision to give back to the community, and have been longstanding charity partners for many years. Together, they have, since 2017, distributed about 250,000 meal boxes to those in need.
The volunteers of both parties regularly visit homeless people and the elderly living alone in the community, to hand out meal boxes, bottled water and goodie bags. During the recent Mid-autumn festival, Ming Gor visited Tung Chau Street Park in Sham Shui Po, and Fu Cheong Estate, together with 7-Eleven volunteers to distribute meals and supplies to the homeless.
