PETALING JAYA: The implementation of the latest movement control order (MCO) has no doubt left many businesses in the lurch. Nonetheless, one restaurant in Klang is instead using this opportunity to help those facing even darker times.
Klang’s favourite family-run Indian restaurant, Merga Restaurant has been distributing freshly cooked lunch packets to the needy.
Nagalingam Nagaraju, whose parents founded Merga Restaurant, explained to FMT that the whole initiative began during the first MCO way back in March 2020.
“My friends and I understand that a lot of people must be struggling during these tough times and we wanted to give back to the community,” explained Nagalingam.
With the help of his extremely supportive friends, family, and the non-governmental organisation (NGO) KitaPeduli.my, almost 10,000 packets of hot meals were handed out to the needy.
According to Nagalingam, this initiative went on till the lockdown was lifted.
“When we received the news that there would be another MCO, my father and I decided to revive our previous initiative. But due to travel restrictions, we decided to distribute the food directly from the restaurant,” said the 43-year-old.
The restaurant currently distributes a minimum of 120 hot meals a day. Nagalingam adds that the number of packed food depends on sponsorships — there were instances where they handed out 620 packets in a day.
“We usually let our sponsors make the decision if the food that will be going to the needy for the day will be vegetarian or non-vegetarian. If it’s 120 packets of vegetarian food, the cost would be around RM400. But if they request non-vegetarian food to be served, the price would be a bit higher.”
Nagalingam’s mother is the chief cook at Merga Restaurant and by 9.30am every morning, she and her team begin whipping up a storm in the kitchen. By 11am, all the food is ready for packing and distribution.
By 11.30am, the food is packed in styrofoam containers and from 12pm to 1pm, Merga Restaurant’s team will be on hand to hand out the meals to the needy souls who drop by.
According to Nagalingam, on some days the food finishes by 12.30pm.
From spicy vegetarian nasi lemak to delicious chicken peratal, Merga Restaurant doesn’t hold back in handing out a feast for the less fortunate.
Upon request, Nagalingam and his team set out every Friday to a nearby old folks home to treat seniors with their yummy offerings. They also use this opportunity to distribute care packages to the needy who are unable to collect the food themselves from the restaurant.
“When we were about to kick off this initiative, I dropped a message to my family and close friends and within 24 hours, they all agreed to be the food sponsors throughout this MCO,” smiled Nagalingam, who said he is deeply thankful to all who have stepped up thus far.
With overwhelming requests from people to be sponsors, Nagalingam hopes to continue this initiative on a monthly basis, even once the current lockdown ends on June 28.
“It’s really touching when they express their gratitude,” he said of those who come to collect the free food, and added that he and his team truly wanted to help lessen the burden of members of their community.
“After all, most of them lost their jobs during the pandemic. Some were neighbourhood barbers and security guards; we even have children coming in to take the food.”
“Even though 70% of the restaurant’s business is down due to the pandemic, we believe our family-run restaurant is able to survive. Plus, we see a lot of folks suffering so by having this initiative, it gives us some form of satisfaction to see their face light up when they receive the food,” Nagalingam said.
If you would like to support Merga Restaurant’s goodwill initiative, do contact Nagalingam at 016 697 0651.
Merga Restaurant
Lot 10434-B, Batu 4 1/2
Jalan Kota Raja, 41000
Klang