Macau's veteran gaming operator SJM announced today the donation of 3,000 "Macau Jiayou Bags" worth 1.5 million patacas to Macau's neediest via six local community associations, namely the Macau Federation of Trade Unions (generally known as Gung Luen), General Union of Neighbourhood Associations of Macau (Kai Fong), The Women's General Association of Macau (Fu Luen), Caritas Macau, Macau Special Olympics, and Macau Association of the Hearing Impaired.
The Putonghua term "jiayou" ("add oil") is a popular Chinese expression of encouragement and support. It is pronounced "ga yauh" in Cantonese.
According to the statement, the bags will be distributed to 3,000 needy families, "including solitary and vulnerable elderly, single-parent families, the chronically ill and persons with disabilities.
"Each bag contains rice, noodles, oatmeal, canned food, toilet paper, [face]masks, hand sanitisers and other daily necessities, with all items purchased from local SME [small- and medium-sized enterprises] vendors as a sign of SJM's continued support at this critical time," the statement said.
The donation ceremony was held at Grand Lisboa today, attended by SJM Chairwoman of the Board of Directors Daisy Ho Chiu Fung, Managing Director-cum-Chief Administrative Office Angela Leong On Kei and representatives of the six non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
The statement quoted Ho as saying that "standing firmly with the Macau community in combating the [novel] coronavirus, SJM is pleased to share love and warmth with Macau's needy families, while showing our support for the local SMEs."
According to the website of the Macau Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau (DICJ), SJM owns 22 of Macau's 41 casinos.
