Caritas widens elderly meal network with two new kitchens

Caritas is preparing to open two new “Delightful Kitchen” community dining facilities in Praia do Manduco and Areia Preta, thereby expanding its meal service network for elderly residents.

According to Caritas Macau, “Delightful Kitchen” is a social enterprise launched in late September 2021 that offers healthy, environmentally friendly catering services and employs residents aged 60 and older.

The project creates sustainable job opportunities so older workers can earn a stable income after retirement, putting into practice the principles of “productive aging” and “active aging.” Elderly employees help with food preparation, cooking, and customer service, providing nutritious, tasty dining options.

The initiative also fosters exchanges between older and younger generations, passing on life wisdom and helping build a harmonious, age-integrated society. It participates in the Social Welfare Bureau’s (IAS) funding scheme for social enterprises that employ older adults.

Citing Praia do Manduco’s relatively large elderly population and the difficulty many residents there have with cooking at home, Caritas Macau secretary-general and director Paul Pun said the new facility would provide them with a nearby place to eat.

The Praia do Manduco kitchen is next to the Hino Luminoso Elderly Center, where facilities are largely complete and service will begin shortly. It can seat more than 20 diners and will primarily serve lunch and dinner, with no breakfast service for now.

The Areia Preta kitchen is larger, seating more than 30 people, and can host additional community activities alongside meals. It is expected to open about half a month after the Praia do Manduco canteen.

Pun also said that Caritas is planning a meal delivery service for those in need, mainly elderly residents living alone and elderly couples, in response to demand for door-to-door meal delivery.

Meanwhile, in a sideline interview with the media, Pun said Caritas is moving ahead with an elderly care home project near the Kun Iam Temple on Avenida do Coronel Mesquita, and the planning conditions plan has already been issued. If construction proceeds smoothly, Caritas expects to complete construction by mid-2028 and hopes to bring the facility into service as soon as possible to meet the diverse residential care needs of the elderly.