Mobile communication store doubles as food bank

At mealtimes, a long line of people can be seen queuing on Guanghua Road outside A-rong Mobile Communications, which doubles up as a food bank. Stacks of cardboard boxes and plastic baskets full of clothes, daily necessities, and a variety of dry foods donated from kind members of the public can be seen stacked high in front of the store.

"If the government did a better job, such private charities wouldn't be necessary." To avoid putting limitations on those receiving help, Chen Sheng-xiong (陳勝雄) does not demand proof of single-parent or low-income status from food bank users. He believes many people living on the margins of society do not apply for the necessary documentation but are nevertheless in urgent need of food assistance.

以下為中文對照

每到用餐時間，綿延數尺的排隊人潮總會出現在光華路上。這裡不是人氣餐廳，而是通訊行。阿榮通訊行結合了食物銀行，小小的騎樓前不只聚集排隊隊伍，更堆疊了層層紙箱與塑膠籃，裝著善心人士提供的物資。有衣服、有日常用品，更有各式乾糧。

「如果說政府有做得很好的話，就不會有這麼多民間慈善團體。」在這裡領取物資不需要單親或是低收入等證明，陳勝雄不想侷限幫助對象，他認為有些民眾處在社會邊緣，雖然他們可能申請不到任何證明文件，但卻比誰都需要這份食物溫飽。

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