Social service groups collecting surplus Lunar New Year gifts for the disadvantaged have had a mixed response.
Selwyn Yu Ka-lung, assistant executive director of Against Elderly Abuse, said they were disappointed as they had received about 300 donations so far compared with around 1,500 last year.
However, Wong Hung-sang, service manager of the People's Food Bank run by St James' Settlement, said the response was overwhelming, with about 1,400 gifts donated.
Mr Wong said they had received more than 6,000 donations last year and expected a similar number this year. He hoped the project - which is being held for the second consecutive year - could benefit about 8,000 low-income people, especially children from poor families.
'Biscuits and chocolates are the keys that open the doors of those in need who always hide in their homes,' the veteran social worker said. 'They will not seek help unless we reach out to them.'
Against Elderly Abuse is hoping to collect 5,000 boxes or packs of biscuits, egg rolls, chocolates, noodles and sweets mostly in Sham Shui Po, Kwun Tong, Kowloon City and Chai Wan.