For the underprivileged – those who were facing food insecurity even before the pandemic – the situation is dire. Thankfully, initiatives like Community Food Box hope to ease their burden.
The project is the brainchild of volunteer Alfred Samuel Mariyara and Dr Madhusudhan Shanmugam. Madhusudhan is the founder of the Teddy Mobile Clinic, which provides free medical care to the less fortunate.
True to its name, the initiative sets up community food boxes at Shell petrol stations in the Klang Valley. Every day, these boxes are replenished with food supplies donated by members of the public, which are free for anyone in need.
Community Food Box began early last year with just one box placed at a Shell station in Setia Alam. Today, over 50 food boxes can be found throughout the region.
Madhusudhan tells FMT that they had planned to increase the number of food boxes but are now unable to due to the MCO.
“We are awaiting approval from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL). We haven’t asked for their permission yet,” he says.
He adds that these food boxes might also appear beyond the Klang Valley as numerous petrol stations outside the region have warmly welcomed the idea.
Madhusudhan notes that the number of people who have reached out to Community Food Box for help has significantly increased with the ongoing lockdown.
While he does not have exact numbers, he refers to a social media post that has gone viral over the past few days. “We have close to a hundred messages on our Facebook page seeking help,” he says.
Thankfully, more people have been stepping up to ask how they can assist and offer spaces to establish more food boxes. Some have even begun dropping off groceries at Madhusudhan’s clinic in Cheras.
Madhusudhan is grateful to those who have contributed to the food boxes and hopes more people will come forward with donations to help the needy.
Essential foodstuff include condensed milk, rice noodles, sugar, instant noodles, rice, canned food, tea leaves, margarine or kaya, salt, flour and oats, along with hygiene products.
These items will be gathered into aid packs and distributed to those who need them.
Madhusudhan is aware some people might not feel comfortable accepting acts of charity, but to them he advises, “Everyone is facing a difficult time, so nobody is going to question you.
“We Malaysians are willing to help each other.”
You can contribute to the community food boxes or seek food aid at these locations:
• Shell Setia Alam, Shah Alam
• Shell SKVE, Seri Kembangan
• Shell P16, Putrajaya
• Shell Batu Belah, Klang
• Shell Meru Batu 5 Klang
• Shell Jalan Haji Sirat, Klang
• Shell Kota Bayu Emas, Pulai Indah, Klang
• Shell Bandar Botanik, Pelabuhan Klang
• Shell Pandamaran, Pelabuhan Klang
• Shell Tanjong 12, Banting
• Shell Kanchong Darat, Banting
• Shell Elite Highway, Sepang
• Shell Seksyen 1 (Federal Highway), Shah Alam
• Shell Seksyen 7, Shah Alam
• Shell Bukit Rimau, Shah Alam
• Shell Seksyen 18, Shah Alam
• Shell Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Klang
• Shell USJ18, Subang Jaya
• Shell USJ6, Subang Jaya
• Shell SS19, Subang Jaya
• Shell Putra Heights, Subang Jaya
• Shell Sg Besi Puchong Highway, Kuala Lumpur
• Shell Jalan Klang, Petaling Jaya
• Shell Puchong Jaya, Puchong
• Shell LDP Putra Heights, Puchong
• Shell Jalan Puchong KM12, Puchong
• Shell LDP Puchong, Puchong
• Shell Bandar Kinrara 5, Puchong
• Shell Bandar Puteri Puchong, Puchong
• Shell Jalan Puchong (Putra Perdana), Puchong
• Shell Rawang, Kuala Selangor
• Shell Ijok, Kuala Selangor
• Shell Puncak Alam, Kuala Selangor
• Shell Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya
• Shell Kajang Bangi OPP, Kajang
• Shell Sg Long 2, Kajang
• Shell Jalan Sungai Buloh Kepong, Kepong
• Shell Desa Aman Puri
• Shell LDP Kelana Jaya, Petaling Jaya
• Shell Jalan Kajang Semenyih, Kajang
• Shell Ligamas Batang Kali, Batang Kali
• Shell Bangi Seksyen 7, Kajang
• Shell USJ2, Subang Jaya
• Shell Kota Damansara Seksyen 7, Sungai Buloh
• Shell Kesas Highway KL Bound, Subang Jaya
• Shell Federal Highway Subang (SIC), Shah Alam
• Shell Titi Jaya, Shah Alam
• Shell Puchong Permai, Puchong
• Shell Kota Damansara Seksyen 6, Sungai Buloh
• Shell Putrajaya P18, Putrajaya
• Shell USJ 9, Subang Jaya
• Shell Presint 8 Putrajaya, Putrajaya
Keep up to date by following Community Food Box’s Facebook page.