A donation event is held by China's Yili Group in Mang city, Yunnan province on April 16. [Photo/Yili Group]

Chinese dairy company Yili Group donated 36,000 boxes of milk to children living in poverty in Mang city, Yunnan province on April 16. It was this year's first donation event under the Yili Nutrition 2020 program.

Yili Nutrition 2020, a project that offers nutrition and educational opportunities to students in poor areas, was included on a list of the top 50 poverty alleviation programs on March 31.

By the end of last year, the dairy company had invested a total of 52 million yuan ($7.75 million), offering help to nearly 600,000 people from 25 provinces and cities.

This year, the company is dedicated to promoting the program in poverty-stricken areas and border regions in western China.

Yili is also planning to help screen for fetal congenital heart defects in these areas.

Children enjoy some donated milk in Mang city, Yunnan province on April 16. [Photo/Yili Group]