One family's leftovers are another's feast

Lunar New Year is a time to feast and greet. This year it might also be a time to share.

The People's Food Bank has launched a campaign seeking food donations for poor families.

'This is to give warmth and a touch of joy to families who can't afford to enjoy the usual Chinese New Year food,' said the charity's service manager, Wong Hung-sang.

Last year the food bank, part of the St James' Settlement, collected 4,000 boxes of candies and biscuits and distributed them to 3,300 poor families. The group is hoping to collect more than 5,000 boxes for at least 4,000 families this year.

But he urged people not to buy extra food to donate. 'We prefer people donate the food they don't need.'

One beneficiary will be single mother Mrs Wong. She has spent all her savings raising three daughters after her husband left her and says she has been too sick to work.

'I haven't planned anything for Chinese New Year because I don't have money to do so,' she said. 'All I hope for is a dinner with my daughters and a happy and peaceful new year.'

Another beneficiary, Ms Zhao, said she was grateful for the charity. 'I can cook my 80-year-old mother a dinner tonight. I'm happy they've given me food to let me have a satisfying new year.'

The collection period runs from next Tuesday to March 18. For more information, call 2975 8777.

Three police officers were attacked on an estate in Tin Shui Wai yesterday while mediating over a Lunar New Year dinner that turned into a dispute.

Two men and their families had been enjoying a reunion meal in Tin Tsz Estate when one of them became drunk and started a row with his wife, police said.

Police were called and one of the men kicked the three officers. The other man tried to stop the officers taking him away, leading to another scuffle. Both were arrested.