The on-going Covid-19 pandemic which had disrupted society has also created poverty in the urban environment.
This situation has been aggravated with the increase in the cost of living, including food prices, education fees as well as medical and transportation costs.
Penang Hindu Association (PHA) and Klinik Derma Sivasanta (KDS) have also come to know of families who are still feeding their children with condensed milk as they are unable to afford the infant milk powder.
Apart from this, the prices of milk powder for the elderly have also increased.
These families are also faced with an increase in house and room rentals and all these have put the families in a dilemma as opportunities to earn through overtime have drastically been reduced.
Being aware of this situation, PHA and KDS have always been trying our best to raise funds to help these families.
In January this year, PHA and KDS managed to support 65 B40 families, of different races, with food aid and token cash. Similarly, for the month of February 2022, food aid and token cash was disturbed to 75 deserving families.
As has been the practice, PHA and KDS took every effort to ensure that all the donations received were fully distributed to the needy families, including for the refugees.
The recipients collected their food aid packages at the Klinik Derma Sivasanta Service Center with strict compliance to the SOP. For those unable to be present due to unforeseen circumstances, PHA and KDS delivered the aid to them.
The recipients of the food aid were from Penang Island, Butterworth, Prai, Nibong Tebal, Perak and also from Kulim, Kedah.
The aid consisted of 27 different types of food provisions, milk powder, basic vitamins, face masks, first aid kit as well as cash of RM25.00.
For making this support programme possible, PHA and KDS would like to thank the generosity and support received from selfless donors as well as from Penang Food Aid, S.C.Wong, Sis Amy Khaw & friends, Giri Ashram, Renee & friends, Syarikat Rempah Jaya Sakti, Mdm Diana Lee, Sivam Caterer and Mount Erskine Hock Teik Temple.
“We hope that this gesture will serve to provide a temporary relief to families who are struggling during these trying times and to play our part in supporting the families in need.
“Despite the tiring efforts and the obstacles faced, PHA and KDS will continue with our role as caring bodies to provide support for the destitute and the needy to give them back the hope that society still cares for them<” said PHA president P. Murugiah.
As appeals for aid continue to pour in, we hope to keep receiving continuous public support for our Food Aid project to help ease the difficulties faced by the poor.
Those wishing to contribute to this needy cause can contact us at 016-4449246.
Syabas PHA and KDS for their constant and timely assistance to the needy community in these difficult times.