Sending Warmth to Homeless and Disadvantaged Individuals and Less Privileged Children in Formosa

By Formosa News Team (Originally in Chinese)

In the winter of 2012, eight Centers across the island of Formosa responded to Master’s loving request to bring winter relief to those in need. Homeless people, disadvantaged individuals, orphanages and remote schools, as well as stray animals were helped during this Formosan winter relief effort.

Keelung Center

On December 13, 2012, members of The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association from Keelung City visited the Keelung Shelter of Zenan Homeless Social Welfare Foundation to distribute overcoats to our homeless friends to ease the long,cold winter nights.

Hualian Center

In Hualian County, our Association members focused their efforts on helping disadvantaged youngsters by joining with the Sofun Presbyterian Church,and on November 1, 2012 distributed gifts including watches, cookies, rice crackers and other vegan snacks to 50 children in single-parent or grandparent-headed families during the church’s dinners and other activities.

On December 18, we distributed 70 bags of rice and several gallons of soybean oil to the remote Fongbin Primary School and its affiliated preschool to help provide lunches for children. On December 26, we went to Andre Catholic Kindergarten where we contributed TWD 20,000 (US$689) and distributed cases of crayons, long underwear, socks and vegan cookies to the children. We were welcomed by the youngsters, who performed an aboriginal dance for us.

Taichung Center

On December 2, 2012, Taichung North Center of Taiwan Fund For Children And Families held a Parents-Children Day to raise funds to provide ovens and thermoses for disadvantaged families to help ease their winter plight. The Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association contributed TWD 10,000 (US$344) to this fundraising effort.

Chiayi Center

On December 13, 2012, our Association members cooperated with Chiayi Shelter of the Zenan Homeless Social Welfare Foundation in providing love and support to the homeless over the winter. We distributed 70 overcoats and 70 sleeping bags. These items were gratefully received in a peaceful and joyful atmosphere. We took the opportunity to introduce the “Be Veg, Go Green, 2 Save The Planet” message by including flyers with the gifts.

Tainan Center

On the night of December 14, 2012, our Association members joined with Tainan City Government Bureau of Social Affairs to visit homeless people living in Zhongshan Park and the underground passages. We distributed winter jackets, jogging pants and sweatshirts, hats, gloves and 100 overcoats together with vegan snacks – all with Master’s loving care. The gifts were received with joyful smiles. We also donated winter clothes to the Bureau of Social Affairs to provide loving care and support for more homeless people.

On December 15, we visited Tainan Shelter of the Zenan Homeless Social Welfare Foundation to distribute winter supplies and Master’s love to homeless individuals. We provided hot soup and 60 Loving Hut boxed vegan meals, which were received with much gratitude to Master. We gave 130 sleeping bags, overcoats, hats, gloves, soap and snacks to our homeless friends at the Foundation and to Tainan Shelter to be given to other homeless people whom we could not reach that night.

Furthermore, Tainan Center sent Master’s books – The Birds in My Life, The Dogs in My Life and The Noble Wilds as well as– The China Study by T.Colin Campbell, PhD and Thomas M. Campbell II, MD, and The Essential Diet of New Age by Dr. Huang Jian Xun, to Bureau of Social Affairs staff and the Tainan Shelter chief.

Kaohsiung Center

On Christmas Eve, our Association members visited the Public Children’s Home of Renwu District for children with mental disabilities to spread the warmth and cheer of the holiday season. The Home has limited financial support and relies heavily on community donations. We contributed much-needed laundry and food items and also brought Christmas gifts to the children. As soon as we arrived, the children happily helped us distribute the goods and excitedly and joyfully exclaimed,“Santa Claus is coming.”

We also treated the children to a Christmas party where we shared the message of the benefits of the vegan diet and protecting our animal friends. The youngsters were very curious and receptive to these ideas. Their smiles when playing games and receiving gifts were like those of angels!

After the party, the children enjoyed vegan orange cakes and drinks. The staff of the Children’s Home was touched. They said that they had seldom eaten such delicious food, and presented us with a “gratitude” flag. In return, we sent books including Master’s book, From Crisis to Peace – The Organic Vegan Way Is The Answer, as well as vegan recipes.

When it came time to leave, the staff and children happily bade us farewell at the gate. On our way home, we were grateful to Master’s infinite blessing, and for learning the true meaning of Christmas: as it says in the Holy Bible, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

Pingtung Center

Our Association members visited the Home of Shooting Stars – a shelter in Pingtungcounty accommodating about 20 homeless people with illnesses. From December 27 – 29, we held seminars there to introduce environmental protection, the low-carbon healthy vegan diet and caring for our animal friends’ lives. After the seminars, we distributed winter necessities including 140 sleeping bags, winter hats, socks and gloves, as well as 120 towels and 100 toothbrushes with toothpaste and mugs.

We also provided delicious, vegan lunches on three consecutive days from December 29 through December 31 as a form of New Year celebration. We pray our homeless friends will soon have safe and loving homes, and will choose the vegan lifestyle for a peaceful and healthy future.

We also sent a red envelope with TWD 300 (US$10) to each of our homeless friends. All felt immersed in the happy New Year atmosphere of God’s love.

Taoyuan

In response to Master’s loving request, Loving Hut factory, Light Light Industry Limited in Formosa, arranged to help the nearby homeless individuals and Children’s Homes and also to take care of the suffering, stray animal friends by providing vegan dog food to animal shelters.

Vegan food including bagels, cookies and malt beverages, along with greeting cards,were promptly packed into loving gift bags.More than 1,000 of these gift bags were delivered to our homeless friends, to seven Children’s Homes, and to lonely and disadvantaged senior citizens. In addition, over 950 kilograms of vegan dog food were distributed to five dog shelters in northern Formosa. Canned foods and cereal powder were prepared specially for some Children’s Homes. Everything proceeded smoothly, and all the relief goods were distributed before Chinese Lunar New Year. The posters of vegetarian elite and vegan recipes were sent at the same time.

Besides providing delicious vegan cuisine, Loving Hut is grateful to be able to help those in need, to encourage the vegan lifestyle, and to promote love and peace.

All members were grateful that God gave this opportunity for our Association members to join this meaningful and loving service. May all those in need during the cold winter months be blessed with warmth for the body, mind and spirit.

Expenditures by Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her International Association for Sending Warmth in Winter in Formosa