Mukah private sector, supermarkets, corporate bodies urged to join food bank programme
SIBU: The private sector, supermarkets and corporate bodies in Mukah are encouraged to join the Student Food Bank Programme by contributing food items to the students.
Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) Mukah chief Salihin Den said the contributions can help students to devote their full attention and focus in seeking knowledge for a brilliant future.
“Such noble efforts can lighten the burden of students in coping with the increasingly challenging cost of living,” he said in a statement.
Mukah 101 Superman Speedmart was the first company to join the Student Food Programme, donating RM500 worth of drinks and food to the students of Mukah Polytechnic.
Salihin said the move was taken in line with the Rahmah Sales Programme (PJR) introduced by the Madani Government.
He said more programmes of this kind could be implemented to help the needy so they may save money for other expenses.
“We also hope that the act from 101 Superman Speedmart will serve as a catalyst for other contributions and help in meeting the needs of students.
Meanwhile, 101 Superman Speedmart manager Kenny Wong Siew Bing said the contribution was aimed to ease the burdens of students in their daily expenses.
He said such move would help the students put more attention on their learning process and counter the rising cost of living.
“It reduces students’ burden so they can focus more on their studies, cultivate a culture of volunteering among them and exposes them to the management of an organisation.
The Student Food Bank Programme initiative is a continuation from the Malaysia Food Bank Programme that was launched on Dec 22, 2018.
Malaysia Food Bank Programme has been upgraded to the level of higher learning institutions, known as the Student Food Bank Programme, which aims to assist students from B40 (low-income) families so they can focus more on their studies.
To ensure it runs smoothly, the Student Food Bank Programme was implemented in collaboration with KPDN, public higher learning institutions (IPTA), private higher learning institutions (IPTS), polytechnics and teaching institutes.
Also present at the event were advisory officers of the Student Consumer Movement, Mukah KPDN representative Halimah Salleh and Mukah Polytechnic deputy director (Academics Support) Sophian Sout.