Maxim’s Group is the regular sponsor of Food Angel’s birthday parties for seniors and kids.
Sham Shui Po is a place filled with nostalgia and human touch. There are old-fashioned canopy and button shops, nostalgic toy stores, as well as Ap Liu Street, famous for its second hand grocery street stalls. Food Angel, dedicated to help people in need by recycling food, has its headquarter office set up in Sham Shui Po. Under the help of Maxim’s Group, their common vision is to reduce waste, alleviate hunger, and to give surplus a second life.
The community center of Food Angel, situated at Hai Tan Street in Sham Shui Po, has already been established in Hong Kong for eleven years. Started with only two people in their team, now operating with three factories for cooking and one centralized food processing center, they provide free meals for people in need. Astor Wong, Head of Partnership and Resources Development at Food Angel, has joined the team ever since its establishment; she has been growing up with Food Angel.
“I ran into a neighbor of Sham Shui Po last week, she just got pregnant when I first met her. Now her child knows how to walk. Time flies, especially when we haven’t met for a few months due to the pandemic, it is like witnessing her children growing up.” For Astor, Food Angel is like her baby. “In the beginning, we had to keep cold calling for donors. We had to unbox all received food one by one. It is fortunate that Maxim’s Group gave us enormous support in the first year of our establishment. Starting from donating surplus bread to hot food from the factory, it diversified the category of food we recycled. The most important thing is that we all embrace the same vision, so that we can strive for offering more support to the needy.”
Speaking of memorable moments, Astor found organizing a birthday party for elderlies with Maxim’s Group unforgettable. “Actually elderlies’ lives are simple, having people to talk with them is more than enough.” Astor recalled some elderlies told her that it was the happiest day of their lives. No one had celebrated with them like that before. “It was then I realized that a small birthday party can make a big difference.”
Astor emphasized that their team does not only give away meals but more importantly, care. This reminds us that we need to learn to treasure food, and also to treasure relationships between individuals.
Other than Food Angel, Maxim’s Group also shares festive joy via different NGOs. Under the principles of “cherishing food and helping the needy”, the Group hopes to give back to the community by donating surplus Lunar New Year puddings, gift boxes and mooncakes. Other partner organizations include Foodlink Foundation Limited, Feeding Hong Kong, Food Grace, People Service Centre Limited, Greeners Action, Direction Association For The Handicapped, etc.