Why can’t they work with social organisations to distribute them to the hungry? All they have to do is create WhatsApp groups with those organisations and alert them whenever close-to-expiry food items are available. They could also put up notices at their entrances to inform those in need to collect the items.

This would reduce food wastage and help in the work of those who run refugee centres, homeless shelters and the like. In addition, it promotes community activities.

What a pity it is that so much food goes to waste.

Last Wednesday’s story about a father being caught shoplifting at a hypermarket was inspiring and instructive. Instead of being handed over to the police, he was offered a job and given a donation.

The 31-year-old father was thankful to be given a second chance, an opportunity to earn a decent living. He had stolen food items worth RM27 from the Tesco hypermarket in Alma, Penang, because he had no money to feed his hungry children.

Tesco’s gesture must have touched a lot of hearts, but such stories are as rare as pink diamonds.

If supermarkets would only work with non-profit organisations to help the poor, we might see a reduction in cases of food theft by the desperate. It’s not so difficult to start WhatsApp groups or set up bulletin boards, is it?