Chiayi County Material Bank Central Station Opens to Boost Aid for Vulnerable Families

Chiayi County has inaugurated its new central station for the Material Bank, a move designed to significantly boost its capacity to assist vulnerable and emergency families. The expanded facility aims to provide a more dignified and accessible service environment for those in need.

The Material Bank, founded in 2012, has been a crucial support system, offering a range of essentials including food, daily necessities, infant supplies, and even meal vouchers. It operates through a network of 12 distribution points and 8 "Share Love" community refrigerators across the county, monthly assisting close to 400 households and having served over 370,000 people cumulatively.

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The Material Bank central station has a comfortable space, allowing those in need to receive assistance with more dignity.

The relocation from the Chiayi County Finance and Taxation Bureau to a new, more convenient site facilitates easier logistics for supply trucks and improved public access. Social Affairs Bureau Deputy Director Cheng Mei-ling highlighted the new space's comfort, emphasizing dignity in assistance. She also thanked public partners for their ongoing support in building a comprehensive care network.

Lu Wen-cheng, chairman of the Chiayi County Charity Groups Association, shared the challenges of fundraising, including past misunderstandings, but expressed gratitude for the Social Affairs Bureau's support. He reiterated the association's commitment to integrating resources and upholding the principle of "public-private collaboration to protect Chiayi."

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To solicit donations, colleagues persevered despite setbacks and continued to seek resources from all sectors. We were once mistaken for a fraud group when fundraising.