The Government held the launch ceremony of the Caring Food Coupon Programme today to distribute discounted food coupons to elderly people in need, conveying society's care for them.

The programme is a tripartite collaboration among the Government, the business sector and the community, with five catering groups supporting the programme and non-governmental organisations subvented by the Social Welfare Department participating.

Addressing the ceremony, Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki expressed the Government's hope to convey care for seniors through the programme and establish closer ties with them through the elderly centres, thus helping them better integrate into the community.

Mr Chan also expressed gratitude to the catering groups for their participation, praising them for sparing no effort in fulfilling corporate social responsibilities with targeted care for the elderly.

He explained that the participating catering groups also provide other kinds of catering concessions for the elderly, establish volunteer teams to visit senior citizens, and set up other food assistance programmes to send care and warmth to those elderly in need.

The Chief Secretary hoped that different sectors of the community would continue to join hands with the Government to support collaboration among the Government, the business sector and the community in building a harmonious and caring society.

From today onwards, 214 subvented elderly centres across the city will distribute discounted food coupons to around 50,000 elderly. Senior citizens may also contact neighbouring elderly centres to enquire about the details of the distribution.

Each beneficiary will receive a set of five coupons, each provided by a respective catering group. Each coupon can redeem a designated signature dish at a discounted price of $25 from January 29, the first day of the Lunar New Year, until March 31, 2025.