Taiwanese Sheltered Workshops Receive Support After Presidential Office Cancels Mooncake Orders

The cancellation of a significant mooncake order by Taiwan's Presidential Office has unexpectedly spurred a wave of public and corporate support for sheltered workshops. Initially, the office had planned to purchase 15,000 boxes of mooncakes from 37 different workshops and disability groups as part of its Mid-Autumn Festival preparations. However, legislative budget cuts led to the cancellation of these orders, creating a substantial financial shortfall for the participating organizations.

Spring Hope Able Center, one of the affected workshops, reported that the Presidential Office had intended to order 300 boxes of their gift sets, valued at NT$350 each. The cancellation came abruptly, but fortunately, no formal order had been placed, thus avoiding direct business losses. The center expressed gratitude for the subsequent outpouring of support from various sectors after the news broke.

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The canceled orders have been filled due to the enthusiastic response from all parties.

"The canceled orders have been filled due to the enthusiastic response from all parties," stated Ms. Chiu from the Spring Hope Able Center. She noted that the overall number of Mid-Autumn Festival orders this year is comparable to previous years, and the trainees are working diligently to meet demand. The center, which operates workshops and a bakery in New Taipei City, specializes in handmade cookies, cakes, pastries, and festive gift boxes, including popular pineapple and egg yolk tarts.

New Taipei City's Labor Bureau actively promotes products from sheltered workshops, with Director Chen Rui-chia emphasizing that supporting these workshops means more than just buying a product; it supports families' livelihoods and helps integrate more people into the workforce. Currently, 23 sheltered workshops in New Taipei provide employment for nearly 500 individuals with disabilities, and the bureau hopes for continued corporate and public engagement through procurement.

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Supporting sheltered workshops is not just supporting a product, but supporting a family's livelihood, and it's also helping society release more labor.