Chinese Newcomers Service Center continues its tradition to give away 5,000 food bags to community members in need

(SAN FRANCISCO) The Chinese Newcomers Service Center (CNSC) continued its 27-year tradition to distribute 5,000 food bags to the low income community on June 15. Each bag carrying the food valued at $65 was much helpful to the recipients who have faced extra challenge for paying more for their food during the high inflation impact in recent years.

The recipients who lined up for the food drive surrounding the Portsmouth Square in Chinatown were mostly seniors and low income families. It has been the largest giveaway event in Chinatown in decades since it was launched in 1996.

The food drive has been hosted by the Chinese Newcomers Service Center (CNSC) since the beginning almost 30 years ago. The free food bags that were distributed to community members have grown to 5,000 a year.

The recipients needed to register at the Service Center in advance and were informed the time to pick up the bags. The distribution lasted for five hours at Portsmouth Square.

"We also thank you the APA Family Support Services for their support this year, 400 food bags have been delivered to Visitacion Valley for distribution to the local residents. It is the first time for us to expand our event to Visitacion Valley," said George Chan, Executive Director of Chinese Newcomers Service Center.

There were over 20 various food items in each bag. "Each bag has the food valued at $65 in total. We hope that the food would provide some relief to our community members when we all need to pay for higher food prices since the pandemic with rising inflation," Chan said.

The donors and sponsors of the food drive included SF Human Service Agency, Oriental Food Association, Arthur Chan, Bank of America, Eddie Tsang, founder of the food drive, Poon Foundation, Portsmouth Square Garage, San Francisco Chinatown Lions Club, and CCHP .