NGO feeds over 150,000 families during pandemic-marred year

[superadmin]

PETALING JAYA: As the pandemic stretches on and restrictions persist, job and income losses have plunged many into crisis, with basic necessities like food and hygiene products out of reach for the country’s poorest.

“It has certainly got worse during Covid-19,” said Johan Halid, chief operating officer of Yayasan Food Bank.

“We have been doing deliveries every day, and we also supply other NGOs with food so (that) they can bring food to the areas they operate in. It used to be much easier to plan, but when the pandemic hit we started getting many more calls for help.”

Based in Kajang but with bureaus nationwide, the NGO accepts donations in both cash and in kind, with major food manufacturers like Nestle, Danone and Cocoaland in its orbit.

“If food is close to expiry, maybe within a month, and they can’t sell it to retailers, we go and collect it to distribute. Sometimes, there are packaging defects too, and they let us have those items.”

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