While many of us continue to adapt to the ‘new normal’ by working and staying at home due to COVID-19, the homeless and poor communities around KL City face even tougher times without shelter and food.
Since NGOs were given the green light by the Government on April 1st to distribute food supplies to the needy with strict adherence to the MCO guidelines on personal hygiene and social distancing, PERTIWI Soup Kitchen collaborated with the BAC Education Group to do their part for those less fortunate.
A file pic of volunteers from PERTIWI Soup Kitchen distributing food to the homeless and poor around Kuala Lumpur. Pic courtesy of Raja Teh/PERTWI Soup Kitchen
PERTIWI commenced its soup kitchen operation over a decade ago, to provide free meals to the hard-core poor and homeless community at various locations in Kuala Lumpur.
This MCO period, PERTIWI Soup Kitchen collaborated with the BAC Education Group and went the extra mile by encouraging fellow Malaysians to sponsor meals for the homeless and poor (at centres designated by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL)) for RM 5 as a way of giving back to the B40 community preparing these meals who have suffered a loss of income during these challenging times.
In return, the BAC Education Group via its CSR arm, the Make It Right Movement (MIRM) pledged to match the generosity of donors.
Mr. Raja Singham, Managing Director of BAC Education Group was overwhelmed with gratitude by the sheer generosity of fellow Malaysians including students and staff of BAC. “To date, a total of RM50,000 has been raised to support this noble cause with RM25,000 contributed by members of the public and another RM25,000 donated by the BAC Education Group. This amazing feat means 10,000 meals can now be provided to the homeless and poor in KL,” he said.
Source: BAC Education Group.
According to PERTIWI Soup Kitchen’s Facebook post on 18th April, Datuk Munirah Abdul Hamid, its founder said, “Planning for special Ramadan meals schedule is also necessary because sahur is another meal which will be required during Ramadan…We are always grateful to be included in discussions with the government agencies and other NGOs working for the benefit of the community. It helps everyone to plan wisely and economically. Our priorities and our actions must be aligned to see better results and to prevent wastage.”
Hearty meals distributed by PERTIWI Soup Kitchen during the MCO. Pic courtesy of Raja Teh/PERTIWI Soup Kitchen
The homeless centres which have received food supplies from the soup kitchen are Dewan Komuniti Setiawangsa, Dewan Komuniti Sentul Perdana and Medan Tuanku, to name a few.
A huge round of applause from all of us at Team Good News Malaysia to fellow Malaysians, Pertiwi Soup Kitchen and the BAC Education Group for coming together to feed the most vulnerable during the MCO period!
#KitaJagaKita
*Feature image sourced from Facebook_PERTIWI Soup Kitchen/BAC Education Group. Note image of volunteers distributing food to the homeless and poor was taken prior to the MCO.
