The altruistic work of a 76-year-old retired restaurant owner in Greater Kaohsiung to help the needy in his area has been noticed by local government officials, who visited him on Tuesday to thank him for going the extra mile to do charity work that the local government cannot do and praise the example he sets for others.
Every day for the past three years, Hung Shui-chen (洪水珍) has prepared 350 boxed meals for distribution to low-income residents, elderly people who live alone and people living on the streets of Siaogang District (小港).
He said he used to own a seafood restaurant in the district, but decided 10 years ago to retire and dedicate himself to charity work.
Photo: Fang Chih-hsien, Taipei Times
Hung said he first volunteered to help maintain the cleanliness of the environment, but three years ago decided to open a vegetarian restaurant and return to the kitchen, this time to make lunches for the area’s needy residents free of charge.
“It seems every good deed is graced by the heavens,” Hung said, adding that he has often received aid, ranging from flour to vegetables, when he most needed it.
Hung said he enjoys his work and is thankful to the volunteers who are helping him in the kitchen — often people whom he has helped.
His work has been enthusiastically endorsed by his family and friends, as well as the district’s residents, Hung said, to such an extent that Siaogang District manager Chen Ying-hsiu (陳盈秀) and Chengling Borough Warden Wu Hui-chia (吳慧佳) visited him at his restaurant on Tuesday.
Wu said Hung’s good deeds have not only solved the problem of providing food for the poor, but have also given less fortunate residents something constructive to do, citing Hung’s four helpers, who all used to live on the streets, as an example.
Wu also praised Hung for helping his helpers find lodgings so that they had a roof over their heads and a place to call home.
Chen also said Hung’s actions have inspired Siaogang District residents to help in any way possible, whether by donating raw materials or money, or volunteering to help prepare lunch boxes.
Tsai Chin (蔡金), a volunteer worker, said that Hung did not just provide lunch boxes on a daily basis throughout the year, but also helped out during major holidays.
He helps make zhongzi (粽子) during the Dragonboat Festival and also hosts end-of-year dinners, Tsai said.
He added that while some of the money for the meals have come from donations, Hung also makes buns on the side to sell for funding his altruistic endeavors.
Hung’s buns are sold for NT$5 each every Wednesday and Sunday at No. 9, Yenhai First Rd in Greater Kaohsiung, Tsai said.
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