A group of cyclists receiving food at Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling in George Town. — Photos: ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
Annual event by NGO to raise awareness and promote unity
TRISHAW peddlers, shopkeepers, the needy and tourists gladly received packets of vegetarian char mee hoon and bottled water from members of the Penang Jing Yue Buddhist Meditation Association.
Organising chairman of the initiative Ooi Kim Nee said the volunteers have been handing out meals during the major festive celebrations for nearly a decade.
“When we started in 2016, many did not want to take the food as they were apprehensive.
“Now they know we are going to turn up, they look forward to our visit,” she said.
Restaurant workers (in yellow) happy to receive the food packets.
The volunteers distributed the food along Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, where four places of worships coexist in harmony.
Ooi said they always distributed food at that location dubbed as “Harmony Street” as it was ideal to promote peace and harmony.
“We are giving out ribbons as well so people can have fun as that is our goal, to see everyone happy.
“We have all turned up in red to spread the festive cheer as well,” she added.
The group started off by singing Chinese New Year songs and dancing before distributing the packs of food.
Volunteers enjoying a morning of music and dance before distributing the food packets.
“Some of the volunteers came from Singapore, Taiwan, the United States and various places in Malaysia.
“This programme cost us RM10,000 which we raised from our friends.
“We shared the idea with them and many came forward to donate,” she said.
Ooi hoped programmes like this would bring awareness and unite the people.
Penang Island city councillor Benji Ang said the state and local council both welcome initiatives like this as it helped the community.
He said the council hoped to collaborate with such organisations on a long–term basis.
