Healthy meals for breaking of fast

Lotus’s Malaysia central region store director Thinesh Subramaniam (second from right) and Lotus’s Kota Baru store general manager Koh Siuew Luan (right) handing over donated items to Ustaz Ahmad Syahir Haris (left).

THIS month, Lotus’s Stores (M) Sdn Bhd is providing healthy meals to low-income communities in parts of Peninsular Malaysia.

The hypermarket chain collaborated with Food Aid Foundation to hold a Ramadan cookout, preparing buka puasa meals for hundreds of needy individuals and families in Kota Baru, Kelantan.

A total of 2,000 meals will also be prepared and distributed at three Lotus’s stores – Sungai Dua in Penang, Ara Damansara in Selangor and Plentong in Johor – throughout the fasting month.

The meals, prepared by both Lotus’s Malaysia and Food Aid Foundation volunteers, will be distributed to the homes of the underprivileged as well as orphanages under the ongoing Lotus’s Food Surplus programme.

Lotus’s Malaysia volunteers in Kelantan also contributed new carpets, curtains and prayer mats to Masjid Wakaf Tok Kassim in Tebing Tinggi.

A buka puasa session was organised at the mosque as well.

“Being able to get together again during this holy month to make a difference through impactful initiatives for those in need is what we love doing,” said Lotus’s Malaysia communications and CSR head Hanim Hamdan.

“We are very grateful that we can do more this year compared to the past two years.

Volunteers preparing buka puasa meals.

“Collaborating with a trusted non-governmental organisation like Food Aid Foundation not only gives us greater access to vulnerable groups, but also allows us to learn from its expertise in the preparation of balanced and nutritious meals.

“It is also an opportunity for our colleagues across the business to be more involved in volunteerism in line with our #KitakanJiran spirit as Lotus’s employees,” Hanim added.

In anticipation of more social and family gatherings this year, Lotus’s has brought back pre-pandemic prices for selected fresh produce and groceries until May 25.

Among the items with low prices are whole fresh chicken, prawns and lemons.

Meanwhile, prices for the hypermarket’s festive clothing collection start from RM29.90.

New in its festive range are Lotus’s serving ware, prayer mats, patterned cushion covers, placemats, table runners, wooden and glass collections, store brand electrical products and USB kitchen appliances.

Currently, all 64 Lotus’s stores have food charity bins for customers to make donations during Ramadan.

The essential items will benefit orphanages, old folks homes, single mothers and underserved schools.

Lotus’s recently partnered with a local radio station to give away various store brand products at 23 locations in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Negri Sembilan, Johor, Perak, Penang and Kedah.