White Flag Initiative: Places Offering Aid to Those in Need
BY: Michelle Liew
As times are getting tougher, Malaysians have joint hands to offer help to the community with the White Flag initiative. The project aims to help those struggling to get by and in dire need of basic necessities such as food, ingredients and even hygiene products.
The nationwide economic crisis has taken a toll on the working class, especially those within the hardcore poor and B40 category. The White Flag initiative or #BenderaPutih urges people that need assistance to wave a white flag or cloth outside their house to signal for help. It is a reminder that calling for help is nothing to be ashamed of but rather a brave thing to do to keep families afloat.
The initiative gathered massive attention and volunteers nationwide, including businesses such as 99 Speedmart and Econsave, have offered to take part in the project.
Apart from the above, citizens have organised various efforts to cater to the initiative:
One man has been noticing the need to step up efforts to help feed the urban poor. Founder and Managing Director of BAC Education Group, Raja Singham, knew well enough, and understood the impact FMCO had on families and communities living under extreme poverty, as many of them were daily wage earners, who have lost their livelihood.
Acknowledging this urgent need, FreeMakan, another humanitarian initiative was promptly set up by BAC Education, under its fundraising platform GiveBack.my. Free Makan has been collaborating with Women of Will (WOW), MY Young Mind Association (MYMA), PAMAR (Persatuan Akademik Motivasi Akhlak Rawang), Rohingya Women Development Network (RWDN), Rohingya Society Malaysia, Yayasan Seni Karya Prihatin Malaysia, STROM (Sri Lanka Tamil Refugees Organisation in Malaysia), and SRMCS (Sri Lanka Refugees Migration Community Service), among others. These organisations help identify communities that are most in need, and the POP (poorest of the poor).
Please visit freemakan.com for details or contact:
Donations: Moo (017-8912345) or Mithila (012-2030562)
Corporates & FMCGs: Rajan (012-4976778)
2. Cyberjaya
Restoran Dulang Kampung at Masreca 19 is offering free food to those in need from 7am to 4pm on Mondays to Fridays. On Saturdays, people may head to Kedai Perniagaan Hasil Alam, Glomac instead for chicken biryani, curries and drinks instead starting 12pm.
Kedai Perniagaan Hasil Alam offers wet ingredients as well such as fish, lala, sardines as well as rice and chicken on Fridays.
3. Wangsa Maju
Those living in the vicinity of Wangsa Maju can proceed to the food bank at Runchit.KL for necessities such as rice, milk, eggs, and sanitary pads. The drive is a collaboration between Runchit.KL and 8to8 HQ. The address for this is at 19, Jln 2.27E, Seksyen 10 Wangsa Maju, KL.
A woman from the area has also posted on social media offering bags of rice to those in dire need at her husband’s workshop at Z Twin Workshop Wangsa Maju.
4. Kajang
Those in Kajang can head over to ‘Gerobok Kasih’ to get rice, flour, soy sauce and many more. Located at Level 1, next to the 7-Eleven at Jalan Anggerik Perdana 1, Bandar Teknology, people can take as much as they need without feeling shy or the need to inform those who have organised the drive. The items are placed outside the stairs and there is no need to knock the door.
5. PlusVibes
Those seeking aid can fill an online form on PlusVibes’ website and specify the items they need. Interested donors can also navigate the website and simply donate any amount which will cover the expenses of the items given to the impacted persons.
Click here https://www.plusvibes.com/ to find out more.
6. OneMeal
Considering the huge impact the pandemic has had on small businesses, OneMeal has joined the movement to aid struggling businesses. The campaign sets sights to help fundraise donations that will be used to purchase meals from selected small businesses from Klang Valley. Pursuant to that, the meals will then be distributed to those who need them.
Donors can also help by providing funds for the soup kitchen or basic grocery supplies in their respective bank accounts.
