head of the annual Mid-Autumn Festival, the Mai's Hsin Tung Yang Foundation marked the fifth consecutive year of its mooncake-making initiative, inviting children from charitable organizations to participate in the "Mooncake Mission." In 2025, the Foundation partnered with the Li-You Foundation, welcoming youth to the Hsin Tung Yang Dihua 100 store. Through hands-on baking, the children explored traditional culture while engaging in career exploration activities designed to build focus and teamwork.

The 2025 challenge featured Cantonese-style mooncakes, which demand the highest level of craftsmanship. Characterized by thin, delicate crusts and generous fillings, these mooncakes require precise handling to avoid tearing or spilling, making them far more difficult to produce than standard pastries. Guided patiently by Hsin Tung Yang's R&D team and store staff, the youth practiced persistently and mastered the required techniques, successfully crafting 150 mooncakes while gaining discipline, perseverance, and a strong sense of achievement.

To help the youth share their efforts with their supporters, colleagues from Hsin Tung Yang's production plant shared insights into ingredient sourcing, nutritional profiles, and preservation methods. The participants then designed custom mooncake gift boxes, adding hand-drawn illustrations and personalized thank-you cards to express their gratitude to their sponsors.

While the mooncakes cooled, Foundation team members shared the cultural history of Dadaocheng and its culinary roots, treating the participants to classic local delicacies including mi tai mu (rice noodles) and horizon sausages. Discovering local heritage alongside festive traditions gave the children a deeper appreciation for cultural continuity. The completed mooncakes were presented to sponsors supporting the Li-You Foundation as a token of heartfelt thanks. In addition, dedicated gift sets were prepared for each child to take home and share with their families.

Through the 2025 Mooncake Mission, the Mai's Hsin Tung Yang Foundation reaffirmed the brand's commitment to corporate social responsibility. We believe that genuine companionship and experiential learning provide vital nutrients for youth development. From professional industry briefings to hands-on pastry making, the youth gained practical food industry knowledge while discovering the value of collaboration, role division, and self-exploration.

Moving forward, the Foundation will continue advancing its core mission of "Culture × Education × Care," creating programs that unite traditional heritage, educational inspiration, and social welfare to empower more youth through hands-on learning and carry this cycle of care forward.

• Gift box packaging co-created with Instagram creator @timi_q003.