Response to the enthusiastic donation activity of Seishiji Temple, 15 shelves were collected in 2 weeks#
March 2, 2024
The World Buddhist Headquarters and Seishiji Temple sent the 15 shelves of charitable donations collected during the Lunar New Year to various donation units. (Photo by reporter Yang Qing)
During the Lunar New Year, the "Joining Hands for Good Deeds, Warming Hearts" donation activity held by the World Buddhist Headquarters and Seishiji Temple received enthusiastic responses from the community and the public. Within two weeks, a total of 15 shelves of goods were collected and sent to local food banks, homeless shelters, and animal shelters in Southern California on the 1st to assist the needy.
Seishiji Temple in Pasadena started the New Year charity donation activity on the first day of the Lunar New Year and received a large number of charitable donations from believers and residents until the Lantern Festival. Some kind-hearted individuals even sent packages from Asia, contributing to the charity event.
Seishiji Temple stated that the charitable donations from believers and the public moved them. In just 14 days, they received a large number of daily necessities and food, including blankets, soap, body wash, lotion, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, raincoats, gloves, hand warmers, diapers, sleeping bags, totaling up to 32,015 items; rice, cereal, nutrition bars, pasta, macaroni, pasta sauce, powdered milk, canned food, oil, sugar, drinks, totaling 6,636 items. In addition, there are 5,046 items of food and supplies specifically for animals, including canned, bagged, and packaged animal food, as well as cages, towels, mats, beds, bowls, toys, and other animal supplies totaling 13,945 items.
On the 1st, the monks and volunteers of Seishiji Temple began to deliver these charitable items to the Friends In Deed Foundation, Pasadena Humane Society, and Heart of Compassion Distribution in Pasadena.
Kevin, a spokesperson for the Pasadena Humane Society, thanked Seishiji Temple for initiating the charitable donations. He mentioned that these donations are not only abundant in quantity but also diverse in variety, truly helping all the animals housed at the shelter. It also provides significant assistance for the future Food Pantry events held by the Humane Society in 11 cities to provide free food and supplies to cat or dog owners.
The presiding monk of the New Year Dharma Assembly, Venerable Shengde Shijue of Huazang Temple, expressed that the "Joining Hands for Good Deeds, Warming Hearts" activity aims to inspire more people to show kindness, help the poor, bring warmth, and create blessings.