Showing its support to medical workers and social enterprise efforts, Deliveroo is partnering with The Nesbitt Centre to bring cakes and biscuits to over 150 hospital staff from different hospitals across Hong Kong, as a part of a crowdfunding campaign to sweeten the days of Hong Kong’s inspiring local heroes. The Nesbitt Centre’s three social enterprises – The Nest Bakery, The Nest Coffee Shops and Café 8 – are now live and taking orders on the Deliveroo platform, with an aim to further grow their businesses to provide more job opportunities to the adults with learning difficulties in the centre and the wider community.
The Nesbitt Centre engages, enriches and empowers people with learning disabilities to integrate into the community. The Centre operates four not-for-profit social enterprises The Nest Bakery, The Nest Coffee Shops and Café 8 currently hire over 20 adult workers with learning difficulties. Between the four outlets, staff members receive support to acquire job experience as they build their confidence and self-esteem, practice social and communication skills, and equip themselves with the competence to navigate the world of life and work. Joining the Deliveroo platform will open up even more opportunities for the three social enterprise restaurants to grow and thrive in their mission, and employ even more individuals with learning difficulties.
Inspired by the eight o’clock clapping hour to support hospital workers, the crowdfunded campaign “Cake for Heroes, Baked by Heroes” was started by Greg March of The Nesbitt Centre. Deliveroo’s support for the “Cake for Heroes, Baked by Heroes” initiative aims to show gratitude to frontline healthcare workers who have contributed tremendously during the COVID-19 period in Hong Kong. Following HK$38,000 in donations over three weeks, The Nest Bakery was able to prepare over 150 boxes of cakes and biscuits for healthcare staff. Additionally, learners at The Nesbitt Centre created heartwarming handmade “thank you” cards, featuring hand-drawn illustrations, to express their appreciation and gratitude towards healthcare workers. Delivered by the Deliveroo Catering Team, the special boxes of goodies were donated to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong Adventist Hospital, Ruttonjee Hospital between 29 April to 8 May.
Brian Lo, General Manager, Deliveroo Hong Kong, said: “The front-liners in hospitals working night and day to save lives are the real heroes of this crisis, and we want to do our small part to support them. This is a collective effort and the very first partnership between the Deliveroo, The Nest Bakery and The Nesbitt Centre. When they initially approached us to take part in the initiative we were absolutely thrilled, and couldn’t wait to work alongside a local NGO that supports a good cause to bring awareness and empowerment to adults with learning disabilities. Together, we can serve many different people across Hong Kong society and, hopefully, make a difference.”
Greg March, Director of Partnerships, The Nesbitt Centre, said, “Through building sustainable revenue at our not-for-profit social enterprises with the support from Deliveroo, together, we are protecting the limited number of jobs in Hong Kong for people with learning disabilities. Our café, coffee shops and bakery are a small but important window in terms of advocacy for how people with learning disabilities can play a valuable role in society, just like everyone can.”
Saluting Hong Kong’s heroes, Deliveroo and The Nesbitt Centre hope to treat hospital staff for their bravery and boost morale for those on the frontlines. In addition to “Cakes for Heroes, Baked by Heroes,” Deliveroo has recently partnered with Project Screen by Circle and ZA Bank to offer its riders free COVID-19 testing and emergency aid. Riders who opt-in and take the WHO-recommended test can do so at home, and will receive their results back within one business day. In the unfortunate case of riders being diagnosed with the novel coronavirus infection, they will be able to obtain an emergency aid of HK$20,000 through the ZA Relief Fund by ZA International.
The crowdfunding for “Cake for Heroes, Baked by Heroes” will continue into May. To support the cause, please visit the campaign homepage and make a donation. For every HK$380 donated, The Nest Bakery will bake a cake for hospital staff.
