In October, a faith-based organization in Kunshan, Jiangsu, the Kunshan Shang'ai Public Welfare Service Center, hosted a series of activities for local elderly residents, including nutrition workshops, games, handicrafts, and outdoor excursions, aiming to enhance their well-being and strengthen community connections.
According to Kunshan Municipal TSPM, as part of the "Neighborly Grandma: Enjoying Life in the Golden Years" empowerment project, volunteers provided dietary guidance based on the "Chinese Dietary Guidelines for Seniors." Participants learned the properties and health benefits of common ingredients and corrected misconceptions such as "vegetarian diets are always healthier." During a food classification challenge, one participant said, "Ginger is warm and can drive out cold, while mung beans are cooling and clear heat. This knowledge is really useful!" Elderly residents competed in groups, matching foods with their functions, with correct answers earning walnut gift packs and health handbooks.
The program also featured a "Community Feast," where residents brought home-cooked dishes and shared stories about them. Volunteers assisted high-age or single-living participants, while children brought snacks and blessings, fostering stronger neighborly ties.
Shang'ai also organized the "Silver Age Care Home" series. The first event, a tabletop ball game, allowed participants to challenge scoring holes and receive rice and red dates as rewards. One attendee said, "Not only fun, but practical gifts too. It's very thoughtful!"
In a subsequent handicraft session, elderly participants made sachets under volunteers' guidance and displayed their completed works. At the end, each participant received a lightweight massage tool, which drew praise from attendees: "This gift really suits us."
For the outdoor excursion, participants visited Dianshan Lake Flower Sea Park, walking along accessible routes and taking individual and group photos. Safety measures included anti-slip equipment, emergency kits, and contact cards. One resident remarked, "The weather today is so pleasant."
The series concluded with a sand art workshop, where participants created flowing sand art under volunteer guidance. One attendee shared, "Look at my blue and white sand. It looks like the blue sky with the white clouds!"
