Buckets of hope for the vulnerable

(From left) Reshma, Syazwan, Yasmin and Hakim showing some of the foodstuff for communities impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

THE Rice Bucket Challenge is in response to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and in line with World Food Day that falls on Oct 16.

Organised by The Lost Food Project (TLFP) and the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS), the challenge encourages the community to get together to fill up a bucket (or basket) with rice or essential food/non-food items at The Food Purveyor stores — Village Grocer and Ben’s Independent Grocer — and donate it to those in need from Oct 12 to Nov 12.

It aims to end hunger in Malaysia as well as encourage donations to sustain and expand TLFP’s efforts to rescue surplus food and other products from supermarkets, manufacturers and wholesale markets, and redistribute them to those in need in the Klang Valley and beyond.

The essential food and other products collected through the Rice Bucket Challenge from corporations and the public are expected to reach at least 30 charities and 7,500 B40 children and families nationwide.

Rice is the hero of the challenge as it is the staple food of more than half of the world’s population.

Since the Covid-19 outbreak in March, TLFP has provided 865,543 meals to B40 families and charities despite the decline in surplus food since the start of the movement control order.

MRCS has stepped up its game with the #responsMALAYSIA (Malaysia’s Response) initiative that provided relief to those impacted by Covid-19.

TLFP general manager Mohd Syazwan Mokhtar said they were looking for ways to connect with others and stay encouraged.

“This challenge is a fun and meaningful way to provide relief for the rising number of Malaysians struggling with financial uncertainty and food insecurity, in most cases worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We are grateful for the continued support from MRCS, The Food Purveyor, P&G and other partners, as well as the community, and cannot wait to see Malaysians get together and ‘rice’ against hunger nationwide, ” he added.

MRCS honorary secretary-general Hakim Hamzah said every day they strived to respond to the increasing needs of Malaysians facing food insecurity.

“It is crucial for communities to stand united to uplift those in need of help during these difficult times.

“We are pleased to co-organise the Rice Bucket Challenge with TLFP, which is aimed at channelling resources directly to the most vulnerable communities impacted by the Covid-19 crisis throughout the country. We believe this will support the recovery efforts of the nation, ” he said.

Participants are encouraged to post photos or videos to document the challenge using #ricebucketchallengemy and tag three friends or family on social media to complete the challenge.

To date, the key personalities supporting the challenge include Yasmin Hani and Reshma Martin, while organisations taking part in the Rice Bucket Challenge include The Food Purveyor, P&G, Mediabrands, Football Association of Selangor and several other companies which will be announced on TLFP’s social media channels closer to the initative’s launch date.

In the Klang Valley, Village Grocer stores taking part in the project are those in KL Gateway, Tropicana Gardens, Subang Parade, EkoCheras, Melawati Mall, Tamarind Square and Atria, while Ben’s Independent Grocer stores include those in Publika and The Linc.

In Johor Baru, check out Village Grocer in Mid Valley, Southkey, as well as Ben’s Independent Grocer in Toppen Shopping Centre and Mall of Medini.

Participants can also join the challenge by buying virtual buckets online via www.lazada.com.my/thelost-food-project/