About 200 impoverished families from Nompumelelo and Mzamomhle townships received groceries from the Beacon Bay Chinese community operating in China Town.

    Unemployed youths and elderly people each received a basin of goods which consisted of basic groceries and a blanket.

 

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: The Chinese community donated 200 food parcels to qualifying

residents of Mzamomhle and Nompumelelo townships at China Town in Beacon Bay yesterday

 

    Eastern Cape chairman of the Chinese community and policing forum Xiulin Lin said they had given out the parcels annually since they began operating in the community in 2013.

   "We have been conducting our business here for three years now and we have been welcomed by the community which has supported us and made our business the success it is."

   "As people who are also familiar with poverty having been raised in poor households ourselves we can relate to the poverty in these two areas which we have selected to support with a few items each year to express our support."

    The items were handed over by recently appointed deputy mayor Zoliswa Matana, who applauded the Chinese community for ploughing back to their community where their business is conducted.

   "As the Buffalo City Metro we applaud the donation made by the community and how they have taken it upon themselves to give back to people who are buying from them daily, from the bottom of their hearts."

   "These two areas in particular have a high unemployment rate and are mostly living off social grants."

    Colleena Marela, 50, said she was pleased when she got a message from the councilor to be at China Town yesterday morning.

   "I was so relieved, because although it may appear as something small, it will definitely go a long way."

    Thembisa Ngcakaza, 59, said her family of seven relied on piece jobs to put food on the table.

   "This will make a difference in our homes. At least the basics like rice and cooking oil we have got, now we just need to worry about other things to add."