THE generous Malaysian spirit has prevailed during a time of pandemic, with many continuing to provide aid for the needy as virus containment measures under the movement-control order are eased.

In Setia Alam in Shah Alam, the Community Food Box project allows people to donate surplus food instead of wasting it.

Those in need can help themselves to the items, said project co-founder Dr Madhusudhan Shammugam, who got the idea from a friend in Australia, where there are similar food aid programmes.

Madhusudhan told The Malaysian Insight he immediately thought of a friend’s petrol station as a suitable location for the project.

“During the MCO, my friends and I were busy helping out needy families through our food bank as well as contributions from friends.

“It was during this time that I got in touch with Suraya Surawan, owner of a Shell franchise in Setia Alam.

“Suraya was also doing the same with several families around the Setia Alam area using their own funds.

“We connected and started working together as the number of families needing help was increasing.”

The aim is to help people who are in need but are afraid to ask for help.

“There are many families or individuals out there who are in real need of help but are afraid to approach anyone (for aid).

“And at the same time, there are many individuals and civil society groups who are willing to help but do not have the proper channel (to do so).”

The food box project allows the needy to receive help without shame while allowing others to give back to the community, he said.

“When we have food products at home that are near expiry, we tend to throw them out or wait till they expire and then throw them away but this (food) may be valuable for others.

“By making this small contribution, (one) can help to reduce the burden of a family in need. Many of us can relate to this because we tend to overbuy at times.”

Madhusudhan said the food box is supplying a few poor families with groceries.

“So far the response has been good. There are a few families who have come to collect the groceries. It has yet to reach many more but we are ready with friends who will contribute.”

Preventing abuse

Each family is limited to three items in the box. For record-keeping purposes, an employee at the petrol station takes a photo of the recipients.

The food box is placed in a high traffic area in the petrol station with closed-circuit television camera surveillance.

Most of the donated items are canned or packaged grocery items with their expiry dates clearly displayed.

“Employees at the gas station help to check the items in the box from time to time to ensure we aren’t giving away expired food.

“The workers are also committed to checking that the items are still edible after a week, although usually the groceries would have disappeared by then.

“We also hope that those who are making their contribution would not supply expired items.”

Madhusudhan said he and his friends have plans to set up more booths in new locations and are working out a system and the costs for it.

“We hope other communities will take the initiative to have this in their neighbourhood or apartment. We are hoping that other premises or petrol station owners can approach us and we can work together to set it up for them.”

Madhusudhan said credit should also be given to others for helping on the Community Food Box project – petrol station owners Suraya, Alfred Samuel, and Patricia Goh for providing the venue and Faiz Shukor, Eliyaz Nor, and Tevo Creations who designed the box. – June 19, 2020.