The Hong Kong Jockey Club announced today (15 September) the launch of the Jockey Club Food Assistance Programme with approved funding of HK$240 million from its Charities Trust. The programme will offer transitional and timely relief to ease financial burdens and provide healthy, nutritious food supplies for those who have become unemployed or underemployed during the COVID-19 pandemic and who are not currently receiving Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) and other regular food assistance. Over 70,000 people are expected to benefit.

The Food Assistance Programme will be implemented with the support of six NGOs – Food Angel, Food for Good, Hong Kong Christian Service, Hong Kong Women Development Association Limited, Po Leung Kuk, and St. James’ Settlement.

The Club’s community contributions have been made possible by the continuation of racing throughout the COVID-19 pandemic with tight safety protocols and its integrated business model comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution.

The Food Assistance Programme is the latest in a series of Club initiatives to help those hard hit by the pandemic. Together they have reached over a million vulnerable citizens, including the elderly, the disabled and schoolchildren. The new programme brings the Club’s total approved funding for COVID-19 initiatives to HK$586 million.

“The Jockey Club Food Assistance Programme will not only provide essential food and relief, but also a sense of dignity and hope to those facing momentary financial hardship during the COVID-19 crisis.  The Club’s support reflects our strong commitment to the Club’s purpose – the betterment of society, which is made possible by our unique integrated business model through which racing and wagering generate tax and charity support for the community. This is why we have worked so hard to maintain racing throughout the pandemic so that we can sustain our community contribution,” said Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges.

The Food Assistance Programme consists of four initiatives designed to provide flexible and targeted support over periods ranging from eight weeks to 12 months:

·         Automated Food Dispenser Service – distribution of cook-chill meals, prepared in community kitchens, via automated food dispensers, allowing for flexible collection times that suit the needs of those working irregular hours
·         Food Pack Service – support for food bank operators to expand their capacity and tailor food packs to the needs of beneficiaries e.g. babies and ethnic minority groups
·         Hot Meal Service – support for a hot meal operator to expand capacity
·         Food Express Service – food assistance support for people who are homebound or who do not have cooking space (to be launched later)

Individuals eligible for assistance are those who have become unemployed or underemployed since 1 February 2020 and who are currently not receiving CSSA and other regular food assistance. To be eligible for the Automated Food Dispenser or Hot Meal Services, the average monthly household income of the applicant for the three months prior to application must be at or below 55% of the median household income, while the threshold for the Food Pack and Food Express Services is between 56% and 75% of the median household income.

Further details can be found at the Jockey Club Food Assistance Programme website https://jcfoodprog.hk, or by calling its hotline at 2596 2789.

Introduction video: https://t.ly/7pIF

The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Founded in 1884, The Hong Kong Jockey Club is a world-class racing club that acts continuously for the betterment of our society. The Club has a unique integrated business model, comprising racing and racecourse entertainment, a membership club, responsible sports wagering and lottery, and charities and community contribution. Through this model, the Club generates economic and social value for the community and supports the Government in combatting illegal gambling. In 2019/20, the Club contributed HK$19.9 billion in duty and profits tax and HK$0.8 billion to the Lotteries Fund. Approved charity donations were HK$4.5 billion. The Club is Hong Kong’s largest single taxpayer and one of the city’s major employers. Its Charities Trust is also one of the world’s top ten charity donors. The Club is always “riding high together for a better future” with the people of Hong Kong.

Attachment: Jockey Club Food Assistance Programme Factsheet