(Standing from fifth left) Norhayati, Fahmi and Ena Suhaila with SMK Seri Pantai students during the buka puasa event. ― SHAARI CHEMAT/The Star
FIFTY students aged 14 to 17 from SMK Seri Pantai in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, received RM200 cash aid as well as a food basket worth RM200 each to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Each food basket comprised two 10kg packs of rice, bags of nasi himpit, milk, sugar and Raya biscuits.
Recipients were also treated to a buka puasa event at the school – with each of them accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Gardenia Bakeries Sdn Bhd marketing manager Ena Suhaila Abas said the initiative was part of the company’s “Cahaya Ramadan” programme.
“The funds for the food baskets came from the RM1 Gardenia sandwiches that were sold at selected LRT stations,” she said.
Over 10,000 such sandwiches were sold in Klang Valley in the first quarter of 2023, she added.
Kuala Lumpur Education Department director Norhayati Ab Wahab thanked Gardenia which she said was a household brand in Malaysia.
“It is a popular choice among children, including my own, for breakfast before heading to school,” she said.
Norhayati called on more companies to emulate Gardenia in helping to uplift poor students.
She said efforts would also be stepped up to help these students through the supplementary food programme and more small-scale scholarships.
She reminded the students to use their hardship as a motivation to succeed and contribute back to the community.
Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil, who is also Communications and Digital Minister, said the buka puasa event gave him an opportunity to get better acquainted with his constituents.
“I would like to thank Gardenia for showing concern for the plight of the needy and bringing some cheer this Ramadan.
“The assistance given will lighten the burden of their parents ahead of Hari Raya,” he said.
As part of the “Cahaya Ramadan” initiative, Gardenia also gave away 25,000 loaves of bread to 20 mosques in peninsular Malaysia.
Ena Suhaila said this was the third year of the campaign, with different mosques chosen every year.
“The loaves are given out after terawih prayers,” she said, adding this was in line with the spirit of giving during Ramadan.
