PINGTUNG (TVBS News) — Pingtung County launched Taiwan's first government-established resource bank on Friday (Jan. 17). The "Happiness Resource Bank Storage Center" (幸福物資銀行倉儲中心) aims to support disadvantaged families by storing essential supplies and implementing individualized care to enhance service delivery. Chou Chun-mi (周春米), Pingtung County magistrate, emphasized the center's role in diversifying aid. The facility, completed late last year, spans 100 pings and offers daily necessities and refrigerated food.
Chou noted that the center would expand to collect nutritional supplements, diapers, energy-efficient appliances, and even tickets for cultural and sports events. She added that it will focus on meeting basic needs and create opportunities for social participation. Liu Mei-shu (劉美淑), director of Pingtung County's Social Welfare Department, highlighted the need for ready-to-eat foods, as many disadvantaged households lack cooking facilities. She also pointed out the risks of outdated appliances, which can lead to high electricity bills and fire hazards.
Pingtung County's "Happiness Resource Bank" currently operates one physical store, one storage center, two main distribution stations, 15 sub-stations, and eight community service stations. Since 2010, the county government has collaborated with private entities to provide resource bank services, assisting over 10,000 disadvantaged families and playing a crucial role during the COVID-19 pandemic.