A TOTAL of 200 recipients from underprivileged families in the Batu Kawan parliamentary constituency were beaming with joy when they were presented food baskets by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at the PDC sales gallery in Batu Kawan today.
A Mutiara Food Bank initiative, the food basket distribution programme was organised by the Penang Development Corporation (PDC).
PDC chief executive officer Datuk Aziz Bakar said the yearly programme is part of the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) to help the needy.
“This is our first CSR programme this year and we chose Batu Kawan to carry out the food basket distribution programme.
“Each food basket consists of rice, cooking oil, noodles, canned food, sugar, coffee, biscuits and many others.
“We will continue to organise more of such programmes to help the needy in other constituencies,” Aziz said during the programme today.
Also present was Bukit Tambun assemblyman Goh Choon Aik.
Chow commended PDC for organising the event.
“As we know, the Mutiara Food Bank was established in 2017 with the aim of distributing edible food (that would hve gone to waste) to the poor.
“The programme has managed to leave a positive impact on the underprivileged people in Penang.
“Hopefully, the food distribution from this programme can help to alleviate the burden of those from needy families,” said Chow, who is also the PDC chairman and Batu Kawan MP.
Chow urged other state government agencies, private companies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to play their part in helping the underprivileged.
One of the recipients was Tan Soo Guat, 54, who is a single mother with five children. She expressed her gratitude for the food aid.
“Firstly, I would like to thank PDC for organising the programme to help us.
“Nowadays, it is not easy to put food on the table due to the price hike.
“But I will not give up that easily. As a single mother, I am working as a part-timer in a restaurant to raise my children.
“I hope more of such programmes will be carried out to help people like us,” said Tan who lives in Bandar Cassia.
Another recipient Norizah Ismail, 56, said the food basket she received today could help her.
“I live in Simpang Ampat. My neighbour told me about this programme and also helped me to register for it.
“I am grateful for the food aid which I received today.
“I often cook at home for my family and the food items that I received can last for a few weeks,” she said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat
Video by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi