On Sunday, June 7, the Fuchu Center of Consumer Co-operative Pal System Tokyo (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Chairperson: Yoko Nishimura) received a certificate of appreciation at the "13th Fukushi no Tsudoi" (Welfare Gathering) hosted by the Kokubunji City Council for Social Welfare (Kokubunji City; Chairperson: Atsushi Kumagai). The award recognized the center's ongoing donations of food items, such as rice, to the Volunteer Activity Center Kokubunji (abbreviated as Borasen), operated by the council. Collaboration with Production Areas During the COVID-19 Pandemic The certificate of appreciation is awarded to individuals and organizations that have contributed to the activities of the Kokubunji City Council for Social Welfare and have achieved merits in the development of community welfare. At the "Fukushi no Tsudoi" held at Cocobunji Plaza (Kokubunji City, Tokyo), Kuniri Yatsu, Director, representing the Fuchu Center, received the certificate from Chairperson Kumagai as a "Life Support Project Collaborator" for contributing to the development of community welfare for over five years. ▲ Director Yatsu (right) receives a certificate of appreciation from Chairperson Kumagai (left). Since 2021, the Fuchu Center has been continuously delivering food to Borasen approximately three times a year, particularly before long school breaks when school lunches are unavailable. They have donated a cumulative total of 2,857 kg of rice. The donated food is utilized by Borasen for free distribution at their monthly consultations for people facing difficulties in their lives. Pal System Tokyo, prompted by a surplus of rice due to decreased demand from the restaurant industry during the COVID-19 pandemic in fiscal year 2020, purchased rice with the cooperation of its directly contracted production areas and donated it to food banks and other partner organizations to support households struggling with food insecurity. They have donated a cumulative total of 133,510 kg of directly