Taiwan Charity and Retailer Continue Support for Flood-Hit Guangfu Community

One year after devastating floods hit Guangfu, Taiwan, the Christian Mustard Seed Community (芥菜種會) is continuing its commitment to supporting affected families as they transition from disaster recovery to daily life.

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Many families were thrown into chaos after the flood. The Mustard Seed Community not only provided daily necessities but also accompanied children and the elderly through the most difficult post-disaster phase.

The organization held an event marking the transition, which also included a donation ceremony with PX Mart (全聯). The Mustard Seed Community has been providing crucial support, including essential living supplies, and accompanying children and the elderly through the most difficult post-disaster phase. Many homes were inundated, damaging kitchens, furniture, and daily necessities, making material aid a top priority.

Child and elder support programs have become regular fixtures. Weekly child accompaniment is set to expand to weekdays after the school year begins in September. Elder support focuses on building confidence through companionship, education, and long-term care training, with five individuals currently undergoing caregiver training. The Mustard Seed Community has also established the "Guangfu Kitchen" to help residents regain skills and income, fostering self-sufficiency.

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Child and elder support programs have become regular fixtures, with child accompaniment expanding to weekdays after the school year begins in September.

As the one-year anniversary approaches, coinciding with the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Mustard Seed Community plans a gathering on September 19th. They will mobilize volunteers from across Taiwan to join local residents for a community celebration, opting for a stall-based event rather than traditional barbecues due to the sensitive nature of the disaster sites. This initiative aims to ease the lingering pain of the disaster through continued companionship.

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The Mustard Seed Community has also established the 'Guangfu Kitchen' to help residents regain skills and income, fostering self-sufficiency.

PX Mart and its foundation have been active in the Hualien and Taitung regions for five years, donating approximately NT$8.45 million (US$260,000) in physical goods. During last year's flood, the PX Mart store in Guangfu, despite being heavily impacted, donated over 6 tons of undamaged food and cleaning supplies. PX Mart Chairman Lin Min-hsiung also personally donated NT$10 million (US$310,000) to a relief fund for post-disaster reconstruction in Hualien. This collaboration highlights the ongoing support from corporate and non-profit sectors for the community's recovery and stability.

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We hope that through continued companionship, the pain left by the disaster will gradually decrease.