KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 21,025 students from 28 higher education institutions (HEIs) nationwide have benefited from the Food Bank Siswa programme as of September, says Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
He said the programme had spread its wings with its launch at the Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Sarawak branch, which is the 29th HEI to enjoy the benefits of this initiative.
He said the Student Food Bank at the UiTM Sarawak branch has, so far, benefited 831 B40 students from various fields, in addition to successfully instilling the spirit of volunteerism in charity work.
“These student volunteers manage the food pantry, distribute food as well as personal items and learning equipment to students in a systematic manner, and control the inventory to avoid shortages of supplies.
“The success of the UiTM Sarawak branch Food Bank Siswa programme is supported by strategic partners like Everrise and Econsave, who have generously assisted,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Nanta said the programme, managed by the Malaysia Food Bank Secretariat and the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry, has been activated since February 2019, with aid also channelled to the needy, including selected members of the B40 group and victims of natural disasters like floods.
He said the ministry had also implemented the Retort Packaging Technology initiative involving the hotel and catering industries and agriculture-based food producers.
So far, he said, 12 retort machines have been operating in 10 selected locations and have produced over 3,000 food packs to be distributed to the targeted groups that have been identified.
“The programme also benefited from this initiative since retort food is ready to eat,” he said. — Bernama
