The Hershey Company, the United States confectionary giant, has been treating thousands of disadvantaged children living in public welfare centers across China to free chocolates.

Officials said nearly $60,000 worth of the company's signature Hershey Kisses and Brookside candies were handed out by welfare workers at 35 centers last month.

The charity effort was jointly managed with Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com Inc and Beijing-based Chunhui Bo'Ai Children's Foundation.