HONG KONG (SE): The Lenten Campaign for 2021 raised a total of $$6.91 million, a 100% increase as compared with last year, the chairperson of the Lenten Collection and Allocation Committee, Bernard Chan reported at the conclusion of the year.
Chan Chan stated that with the departure of the threat of the Covid-19, promotional activities could be organised.
Despite the unfavourable situation in Hong Kong, there was an encouraging response to the campaign. With the support of parish priests and school principals, $3.02 million was raised from parishes, $2.94 million from schools, $200,000 from Catholic institutions and $740,000 million from individuals.
The encouraging result showed the unfailing support for the Lenten Campaign even in the face of current constraints and restrictions.
On behalf of the Allocation Committee, Chan expressed gratitude to all the donors who put in the effort and sacrifice to help those in need by responding positively and generously to the appeal.
Chan revealed that the Allocation Committee was aware of the reduced collections and that, given current social and financial conditions, there would be an increasing need to address the suffering and deprived through a widening in the scope of services offered.
The committee therefore resolved to allocate all $6.9 million raised this year. together with an input of $100,000 m from the reserve to make a total of $7,000,000 for the allocation in 2023.
Funds have been allocated to various charitable activities, with $836,000 going to 18 parishes for charitable work, $83,500 to 34 Catholic secondary schools for service projects, $400,000 for overseas emergency relief as a sign of universal solidarity, and $5,680,000 to eight welfare agencies—$5,150,000 to Caritas-Hong Kong for diverse service programmes; $7,500 to the Faith and Light Community HK for service to people with mental health problems, $15,000 to St. Camillus Benevolent Association for service to the physical afflicted and people of advanced age.
In addition, $48,000 was allocated to the Oblates of Mary Immaculate for counselling and growth support for hearing impaired students, while $110,000 was disbursed to Chain of Charity to fund their service caring for the “live alone” community, and $120,000 to St. Peter’s Revival Association to help discharged inmates in their rehabilitation and employment programmes.
MercyHK2020 Ltd. received $180,000 to subsidise funeral expenses for the under privileged and $50,000 went to the Diocesan Reception Group to subsidise the living expenses of religious from the Mainland visiting Hong Kong for pastoral training.
Details of the 2023 collections and allocations can be found on the Lenten Campaign website: Lenten Campaign 2019 Report
