Yayasan Food Bank Malaysia (YFBM) has recently set up its seventh Food Bank Komuniti in Kuala Tahan, Jerantut. This initiative was supported by DRB-Hicom and JCL Credit Leasing as the main sponsors for the initial period of three to six months after the Food Bank Komuniti respective launching.

Present at the launching ceremony was Mr Azhar bin Ahmad, Chief Financial Officer of YFBM as well as several local dignitaries and YFBM volunteers. He said that the food donation drive will remain to be helpful and important although the pandemic is over. Community easy-access to Food Bank Komuniti will help feed the needy with healthy and nutritious food as well as support YFBM’s drives to fight against hunger.

Through a concept of ‘take only what is needed’, the community was invited to apply for the basic food item(s) to the person in charge of managing the Food Bank Komuniti, while the procedures were very simple and straightforward.

He also added that YFBM will oversee, guide and assist all Food Bank Komuniti for a duration of about 6 months, after which the Food Bank Komuniti will operate independently. These include stock supplies, training, education and other support with a total sponsorship amount of up to RM 50,000. To ensure that the Food Bank Komuniti continue to sustain itself, YFBM would continue to provide advisory services to those that are responsible for managing the Food Bank Komuniti.

Apart from the launching of Food Bank Komuniti, 128 Box of Hope comprising basic food items were distributed to the local community which has brought timely relief to the needy and those who have fallen on hard times as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Life has been tough due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Almost everyone is affected. I have a big family, including four grandchildren, so they prefer to cook rather than buying food from outside, which can be costly. Thank you YFBM” said one of the locals in Kg Kuala Tahan, knowing that the food supplies have arrived.

Since its establishment in 2019, Yayasan Food Bank Malaysia programmes have benefited more than 915,014 households living below poverty lines nationwide. “They aim to rescue surplus food from the manufacturer, wholesaler, hypermarket and hotel industry; sort and redistribute it to the identified targeted B40 communities in higher learning institution (IPT), charity home, welfare centre and Program Perumahan Rakyat Termiskin (PPRT) through our strategic partners to reduce food waste while helping to ease and lessen the cost of living of the underprivileged Malaysian,” said Mr Azhar bin Ahmad.

To date, YFBM has initiated strategic collaborations with Nestle, LOTUS, Nestle, AEON BIG, Econsave, NSK Wholesale Supermarket and many more. They believe that they can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone. Those who wish to contribute are welcome to do so via their website or Facebook and Instagram.

Yayasan Food Bank Malaysia is a charity-based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that collects and distributes food items and necessities to the B40 and below as an organization to take the lead in managing and coordinating Food Bank initiatives as part of the “Inisiatif Keprihatinan Rakyat”. YFBM has set up seven (7) Food Bank Komuniti located in Lumut, Simpang Renggam, Gopeng, Kota Damansara, Baling, and Lembah Pantai.