Wenzhou authorities have vowed to simplify licensing procedures for charity groupsthat want to offer residents free food and drink.
The city in Zhejiang province, one of China's richest, has a centuries-old tradition ofaltruism, and today it has at least 1,600 small, independently run street stalls thatprovide passers-by with simple dishes or tea.
But since the city government introduced a permit requirement early this year tostandardize the sector, just one group has successfully applied.
"We wanted to run our charity like an enterprise, with a legal representative andaccountant," said Zhang Xianding, 74, one of three retired businessmen behindZhuangyuanting, which was licensed in April.
His nonprofit stall has been giving away congee in Longwan district since March, andhas since received more than 600,000 yuan ($96,200) in public donations.
"With help from the city's civil affairs bureau, we've got an accountant, gone from eightvolunteers to 86, and can now give invoices (approved by the tax authorities) todonors," Zhang said.
According to Su Benyun, deputy director of civil affairs in Longwan, his office carriesout regular inspections to ensure the stall is safe and fair.
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