Food aid not reaching all because of outdated info

SOME of the poor are unable to receive their share of the Penang government’s 20,000 boxes of food aid because of outdated data.

State welfare and caring society committee chairman Phee Boon Poh (pic) said there were problems finding some of the needy families who had registered with the state.

“Some families changed addresses and some members died but we were not notified.

“In other cases, monthly welfare aid recipients did not complete their yearly renewal process,” he said in a statement on Friday.

To stay in line with the state policy that no one is behind, Phee called on those who qualified for the food aid but did not get it to call his office at 04-650 5450.

“Give us the necessary information such as name, MyKad number, latest home address and contact number to ease our cross-checking process,” he said.

He said the food aid box contained necessities like flour, sugar, canned sardines, baked beans, instant noodles, rice, chocolate malt beverage, soy sauce and biscuits.

Those eligible for the aid comprise recipients of the Social Welfare Department’s monthly aid and underprivileged recipients listed under Equitable Economic Agenda.

Phee said assemblymen and agencies had been helping to distribute the food aid boxes.

A total of 18,544 recyclable boxes were delivered to the northeast district (5,237 boxes), southwest district (2,444), south Seberang Prai district (2,111), north Seberang Prai district (4,871) and central Seberang Prai district (3,881).