World Association of the Major metropolises
With a people-orientated and family-centered principle, the Taipei City Government aims to push forward a policy focus on prioritize emergency relief for at-risk groups, particularly children and youth. The program targets children under 18, who can get proper meals, immediate care and assistance at the stores.
New Taipei City launched “The 24-Hour Outreach Station” project in the hopes of ensuring that at-risk children and youth do not go hungry in partnerships with Taiwan’s four largest convenience store chains. In New Taipei City alone, there are over 2.000 participating convenience stores, open 24 hours a day. The City Government designated these 24-7, densely located convenience stores as the ideal partner for offering round-the-clock welfare care for hungry schoolchildren. Children only need to leave basic information, enough to for social welfare organizations to determine the type of further assistance needed on a per-case basis. They also help prevent crimes, and provide thoughtful care for the city's youths. The program has also inspired a more supportive social climate. More individuals and corporations are motivated to join charity events to form a protective network for the youths. Through this program over 13.600 meals were picked up since the program was launched 14 months ago. Among which, 7.000 of the students were found to be in real need, and out of those 7.000, 1.530 at-risk cases were identified. After notification, social welfare services have kicked in to help these youngsters. The program has received numerous compliments as a model of low-cost high-effectiveness project. Through this program, many runaway children returned to their parents.