Taiwanese charities receive surge in orders after presidential gift cancellation

The cancellation of a substantial order for Mid-Autumn Festival gift boxes from Taiwan's Presidential Office has sparked a wave of public support for sheltered workshops and disability organizations. The original order, valued at NT$100,000 and intended for 15,000 gift boxes from 37 different groups, was rescinded. This decision initially caused concern for the vulnerable beneficiaries of these workshops.

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The Presidential Office's original order was for NT$100,000, and it has now been supplemented by an order of NT$140,000 from Taiwan Depository & Clearing Corporation.

However, the public has responded with enthusiasm, stepping in to fill the void. The Sheng Gong Fang workshop at Pingtung Victory Home, which was set to receive NT$100,000 from the Presidential Office, has now secured a NT$140,000 order from Taiwan Depository & Clearing Corporation. This new order will cover approximately 250 gift boxes.

Similarly, the Pingtung County Xiangyang Ability Association, which supports individuals aged 18 to 64 with disabilities, has seen an outpouring of support. Their Mid-Autumn Festival gift boxes, which were expected to generate around NT$100,000 from the Presidential Office, have now received approximately NT$200,000 in orders from concerned citizens. This surge in private orders, driven by emails and social media outreach, demonstrates a strong community commitment to these organizations.

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Many enthusiastic individuals have expressed their willingness to fully support through emails and Facebook, and the order situation is very enthusiastic, with a total amount of about NT$200,000. We are very grateful for the kindness and love from all sectors.

Victory Home's Sheng Gong Fang workshop has been operating since 2005, offering vocational training in baking for individuals with disabilities. They produce a variety of gift boxes, including mooncakes, pineapple cakes, and traditional pastries. While the current year's orders have reached NT$451,000 from 204 orders so far, the workshop typically aims for NT$900,000 to NT$1 million annually. The shorter marketing period due to the proximity of the Mid-Autumn Festival to the Ghost Festival presents an ongoing challenge for sales.

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This year, the total orders for Sheng Gong Fang's Mid-Autumn Festival gift boxes have reached NT$451,000 from 204 orders so far. In previous years, the total order amount for Mid-Autumn Festival gift boxes was around NT$900,000 to NT$1 million.