Recently, Sun Fong Bak Kut Teh, a 50-year-old restaurant in Medan Imbi, set up a food bank with the help of Persatuan Pembangunan Jayadiri Selangor (PPJDS).

PPJDS representative Cindy Kok said she approached the owner of Sun Fong to discuss using the restaurant as a food bank, and after getting the “ok”, it was set up within two days.

Kok fears, however, that just as soon as the food bank was set up, they are now quickly running out of supplies.

“All our resources – funds and groceries – were wiped out in three to four days,” she tells FMT, adding that the goods were given out to between 300 and 400 people.

She says PPJDS has been actively reaching out to the needy and donating supplies since the first MCO last year.

“But since June, our resources have become seriously limited. I estimate we need to keep this food bank going for at least the next four months because a lot of people are struggling to have a meal, let alone make ends meet.”

Kok adds that, as many businesses are affected by the lockdown, they are unable to rely on corporate donations.

She believes the public can play a part in helping food banks stay sustainable, but acknowledges that it can get emotionally exhausting to fulfil donation requests as “everyone is in a financially tight situation currently”.

Nevertheless, Kok hopes people will come forward to help their initiative, which is in need of dry and canned foods, face masks, Panadol and hand sanitisers.

“Families can even provide cooked food, and for those who are unable to travel to the food bank, we are able to collect the groceries from them,” she adds.

“If each Malaysian who is able could contribute a loaf of bread, a pack of biscuits, some noodles, and a bottle of water, it would definitely go a long way for those who are struggling.”

To find out how you can help, contact Sun Fong Bak Kut Teh at 03-21414064.

Sun Fong Bak Kut Teh
37, Medan Imbi
Imbi, 55100 Kuala Lumpur