The event, “Jom Raya Bersama Komuniti Bandar”, was held at the Medan Tuanku Homeless Service Centre (Pusat Khidmat Gelandangan Medan Tuanku).
There was a festive atmosphere throughout the evening, with Raya songs playing as attendees enjoyed their meals at tables and chairs set up under a tent.
Among the food distributed by various organisations was satay, biryani, lemang, rendang, various kuih, and fruits.
According to DBKL, a total of 11 NGOs participated in the event, including Kechara Soup Kitchen, Kembara Insani, SOLS 24/7, and Hope Branch.
Also present was Federal Territories deputy minister Jalaluddin Alias.
Additionally, a team of approximately 40 students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (Upsi) travelled from their campus in Tanjung Malim in Perak.
They provided free haircuts and organised a mental health workshop during the event, in addition to distributing food and old clothes.
Programme director Siti Fairuz Rohaliza Ejahar told FMT they had been collecting the clothes from Upsi students over the past month.
“We hope that through this programme, there will be more awareness on the plight faced by the marginalised in society and the mental issues they could be facing,” the 23-year-old said.
“It brings me joy that I can contribute back to society, and I am having fun,” she added.
Another familiar face at the event was Tony Lian, more fondly known as Uncle Tony.
“In spite of the fact that they are less fortunate, they are also entitled to celebrate the festive season,” he told FMT. “So what we have done is come together and help bring joy to them.”
The 72-year-old estimated that there are at least 1,000 people in attendance.
He added that the team from his charity organisation, Food4U – which weekly distributes food in locations such as Brickfields, Pudu, Jalan Raja Chulan, and Medan Tuanku, among others – invited the poor and homeless in those areas to the event.
Ten members of his team were also present to cook a variety of food such as char kuey teow, fried rice, fried chicken wings, and french fries, as well as to prepare drinks.
Throughout the evening, Uncle Tony was seen cooking, serving, welcoming guests, and chatting happily with many of the attendees, clearly doing what he is passionate about.
“My moment of happiness is when I witness the jubilation in each one of these homeless and poor, as they enjoy themselves with plenty of delicious food,” he said.
“Being poor should not deprive a person from having enjoyment in life. When they have food on the table and can go to bed without being hungry, I am happy.”