Tonnes of excess food channelled to the needy in Shah Alam

ABOUT 2.3 tonnes of surplus food and beverages from Ramadan bazaars have been channelled to the needy in Shah Alam through the recent ''MySave Food @ Ramadan'' programme.

The programme, held from April 4-21, was an initiative to prevent food wastage.

It was jointly organised by the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA), World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Malaysia, Pertubuhan Pemuda Gema Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Mara volunteer brigade as well as the Shah Alam Residents Representative Council (MPP).

Roped in to participate were traders from three Ramadan bazaars in Seksyen 19, Sri Muda in Seksyen 25 and Subang Bestari in Seksyen U5 Shah Alam.

MBSA corporate and public relations division head Shahrin Ahmad said the programme was inaugurated last year with the Seksyen 17 Ramadan bazaar.

''We received positive feedback and expanded this to two other bazaars.

"Every day, MBSA officers and volunteers help to pack the surplus food from traders and send it to beneficiaries on the same day.

''During this year's programme, we gathered a total of 1,268.9kg of food and 1,025.5kg of beverages," he said.

The food was sent to the needy in places like Pangsapuri Rimba Jaya Seksyen 16, Pangsapuri PPR Kampung Baru Hicom Seksyen 26, Flat Proton Seksyen 27 and other flats as well as several surau and mosques under MBSA's jurisdiction.

''The programme is a success, thanks to the overwhelming participation from hawkers and volunteers.

''Next year, we are looking into engaging more Ramadan bazaars,'' said Shahrin.