After moving to Hong Kong in 2006 and teaching for many years, Canadian JEFF ROTMEYER founded ImpactHK, a charity that seeks to tackle the problem of homelessness in Hong Kong. We chat with him about the group’s latest initiative, The Kind Kitchen.
Tell us a bit about the charity.
I really love working for ImpactHK and with the community we support! My favourite part of the job is conversing with friends in Hong Kong who are currently experiencing homelessness or once did; they’re so kind and inspirational. I love being a friend to them and making sure they know they’re cared for and not alone. It’s so easy to take for granted having a friend or family in our lives. We all need that, and putting that extra needed amount of care into our work is essential.
The group recently opened The Kind Kitchen at Tai Kok Tsui; what’s its aim?
The Kind Kitchen will definitely live up to its name, serving well over 2,000 free meals each week, saving quality food from being needlessly thrown away and also providing training and employment for friends who previously experienced homelessness. At the same time, it’ll provide an education for our neighbours and society of how beneficial it is to care for others and the power of diversity.
Who will be manning the kitchen?
Almost all of the staff have previously experienced homelessness. They’re inspiring to watch as they do such a great job and take so much pride in their work! They come in each day with a skip in their step because they have found purpose.
Having purpose in life is something we all need, and it’s a key aspect that many groups forget about when supporting people in taking steps out of homelessness or other difficult circumstances. The hope needed to overcome the incredibly challenging struggles with homelessness doesn’t come from a job alone, but having purpose. Our friends wake up each day knowing people need their help – and they’re excited to give it! How cool is that?!
How big a problem is food waste in Hong Kong?
With ImpactHK, we see heartbreaking experiences daily that are really tough, but with care and our programmes we can see solutions. Food waste, on the other hand, is depressing because it’s everywhere all the time and the lack of progress is just sad. Thankfully, there are some great organisations like Food Angel doing incredible work in this area. We’re really proud to partner with them.
What kind of support have you found for The Kind Kitchen?
There’s been a huge amount of support, from Chellaram Foundation who sponsored the full renovation, to Rosewood Hotel, LRC Foundation, Feather and Bone and many more! This community effort empowered our charity to take this step – and it’s been the case with ImpactHK over the past five years. Our charity’s greatest strength is our community and the care they have for people in need.
Any additional plans for The Kind Kitchen moving forward?
The potential of this kitchen is really limitless, from expanding the amount of meals served, to adding more locations to becoming a social enterprise. As we say to our friends: one step at a time. One thing’s for sure, it will make a positive impact!
Can readers help, volunteer or contribute in some way?
Once we find our feet, we will open a range of meaningful volunteering opportunities, so stay tuned! For now, we still have our nightly Kindness Walks that you can sign up for through our website, and we’d greatly appreciate financial donations, either one-time or recurring, to help us do what we do and keep fighting for our community.
The Kind Kitchen is at Shop 1A, G/F, Ocean Court, 27-29 Ka Shin Street, Tai Kok Tsui, Kowloon.
impacthk.org | @impacthkcharity
This article first appeared in the Summer 2022 issue of Expat Living magazine. Subscribe now so you never miss an issue.
