Hawkers roped in to provide free meals to poor in Batu Lanchang
A Penang assembly representative has launched a new community meal initiative to provide food for the needy in his constituency.
Batu Lanchang assemblyperson Ong Ah Teong said the welfare programme will benefit the poor in his constituency, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic era.
Under the programme, they will receive free coupons to buy food for their families.
Describing it as "first such programme in Penang and in the country", Ong said the initiative involves eateries or hawker stalls owned by the local authority.
"People who come to eat at the Batu Lancang Food Complex can donate through a donation fund which will be placed at four coffee shops here," the first term assemblyperson said in a statement.
"The money from the public donation will be used to provide food coupons to the stalls involved," he added.
To kick off the campaign, Ong allocated RM300 from his own coffers to four coffee shops, while other food stalls in the complex received RM100 each.
"Each coffee shop involved in the programme will provide a coupon worth RM10 every day for one month. Coupons priced at RM1 and 50 sen are placed in front of the shops.
"Those in need can use the coupons to buy food at any stall," Ong said.
"'For example, if a plate of noodles costs RM4, with an RM1 coupon the buyer only has to pay the remaining price," he added.
Meanwhile, there are 37 food stalls which will provide three meals to the needy in a 10-day programme.
They are expected to provide a total of 111 free food plates for a period of 10 days.
"Anyone who is poor, low-income or senior citizens can take these coupons or free food," Ong said.
Ong plans to expand this programme by increasing the number of food coupons if the project is successful.
He said the aim of the initiative is to get the public involved in helping the poor who live in their midst.
He expressed hope that the programme succeeds so that free meals can be provided to the poor every day.
"So far, the idea and initiative have been welcomed by traders at the Batu Lancang Food Complex and they are ready to get involved.
"If this programme is successful, I also intend to implement a similar programme at the Jelutong Public Market and at Jalan Perak, so that more people can be helped.
"At the same time, we at the Batu Lancang Service Office are ready to share this idea with any interested party who wishes to implement a similar initiative," Ong said.
"Indeed, this ‘Com Meal’ programme is a noble initiative to ensure that the poor and needy feel that their situation is taken care of.
‘Let's pass the love around and build a bond of love and affection in our communities," he added.
