IPOH: A couple here sells lunches for just RM3 to help those struggling with the rising cost of living.
Operating a takeaway-only shop in Taman Wing Onn, G. Indrawathy, 42, and her husband S. Johnson, 45, sell meals that consist of rice, protein and vegetables.
Indrawathy said their initiative, called Jom Sappedeh (Tamil for “Let’s Eat”), was set up to help those in need.
“We used to sell jacket potatoes before starting this venture and we served about 20 customers a day at the start of the month.
“But by the end of the month, only a few would return despite craving the food,” she said when met.
“Many told us they had only RM200 or RM300 left for the rest of the month for food, fuel and parking.
“Understanding the financial situation faced by most folk, we wanted to fill that gap and serve affordable meals,” she added.
Jom Sappedeh’s menu changes daily.
“Sometimes, we will serve rice with chicken sambal or varuval, fish balls or sardine sambal, egg dishes and simple stir-fried vegetables,” Indrawathy explained.
Their initiative is supported by a few good Samaritans and public donations.
“We prepare meals for between 150 and 170 people daily.
“Some of the donors would sponsor a specific sum for the meals to be served,” she said, adding that the donors are mainly from Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Singapore, as well as from the United Kingdom.
“There are times where they would sponsor about 150 packets of meals to be provided to children’s homes, underprivileged families and the homeless.
“We’ll also go on TikTok to check if there are other people willing to sponsor the meals,” she added.
Indrawathy said they spend RM150 to RM250 daily on ingredients, sometimes more when chicken or fish is included.
“Daily sales average about RM300 to RM350, leaving profits of less than RM50 a day.
“To keep prices low, we run the operation ourselves, from cooking and packing to shopping and marketing,” she said, adding that the monthly rent for the shop is about RM500.
She said that apart from the RM3 meals, they also sell kulfi ice cream, jacket potatoes, beverages, photo frames and jars.
“Sales from these items help to sustain our operations,” she said.
Indrawathy added that they have no plans to raise prices.
“Even if we could, we won’t. We only hope to increase the number of meals served each day.
“Yes, it’s challenging, but it’s worth it. The joy of doing this comes from knowing we are helping people who really need it,” she said.
“It has become our responsibility to keep providing, especially when there are also children who are counting on us.
“Adults can find ways to manage, but it’s the kids who truly need help.”
