UTAR Food Bank Corner for Sungai Long community who are in need

From left: SRC Student Affairs Secretariat member Cheng Zen Qian, Koh, Loh, DSA staff Chow Keng Fatt, and DSA staff Choong Yee Chin

As the fight against the pandemic continues, many are struggling to make ends meet. As one of the initiatives to help those in need, UTAR Department of Student Affairs (DSA) and UTAR Student Representative Council (SRC) banded together to set up the UTAR Food Bank Corner. Bearing the concept “take what you need, give what you can”, the food bank is expected to aid students and those in need in Bandar Sungai Long.

“There will be no questions asked or any forms to be filled. Just take what you need,” said Chairperson of SRC 2020/2021 Koh Ling Xian. The food bank offers varieties of dry food supplies including rice, flour, canned food, biscuits, snacks and many more.

Prior to the UTAR Food Bank Corner, the SRC worked on different projects to help those in need. “Hunger Buster” and “STOP COVID-19” were organised simultaneously to provide cooked food as well as mask and sanitiser kit respectively to UTAR students in Bandar Sungai Long.

Now with the food bank, they will be able to cater to more people in need. “A few issues can be improved via food bank compared to distributing the food physically. It has proven to be a challenge to follow the SOPs when it comes to distributing the food since the SOPs are changed now and then. However, with the food bank installed, we will not only operate more efficiently, with lesser manpower, but we will also make the process easier for the recipients without having them to fill in forms or wait for their turn,” Koh explained while applauding the SRC Student Affairs Secretariat for the effort and time spent on the project. According to the SRC record, there are about 100 to 200 UTAR students who are currently living in Bandar Sungai Long.

 

Koh (left) and Cheng arranging and sorting the food stocks

With the combined effort of both DSA and SRC, the team managed to secure a significant amount of dry food stocks from generous organisations, companies and individuals. Among the donors of the food include Muhibbah FoodBank Malaysia, ECONSAVE, Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) and Home of Karn En. The team is very grateful to the sponsors for providing them with the supply and offering them surplus to ensure there is sufficient food to share with the community.

“In a critical time like this, UTAR hopes to provide a helping hand to the students and the local community. We have the resources so it is only right for us to give back to society. After all, UTAR is a university by the people, for the people. Instead of carrying out the effort separately, we decided to work together with the SRC. This made it more efficient as it reduced the cost and manpower,” said Head of DSA Loh Nyuk Leung. She also finds the food bank to be convenient to those in need as it provides much easier access; encouraging them to come without feeling exposed or ashamed.

The food bank open to all

Some of the food provided by sponsors

Aside from offering this food bank initiative, DSA also offers various other activities that promote healthy mental wellbeing for students. “We offer various activities and these activities are usually conducted by our counsellors who can be reached not only during the office hours but also during the nights and weekends," Loh added.

“Everyone has their own role in the society in overcoming this pandemic; similar to this food bank where you take what you need and give what you can. The concept goes larger than just providing food. If we all play our parts in this society, I believe we can get out of this pandemic sooner than we expect,” said Koh.

 

Location of the UTAR Food Bank Corner:

Address:

South Lobby Entrance,
KA Block,
Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman,
Jalan Sungai Long,
Bandar Sungai Long,
43000 Kajang.

Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/pn1RfM5EmGvpnpcn8

 

For those who wish to contribute, please contact:

a.    Department of Student Affairs (DSA)

·         Mr Chow Keng Fatt – 013-802 5412

·         Ms Choong Yee Chin – 012-723 2281

 

b.    Student Representative Council (SRC)

·         Mr Koh Ling Xian – srcsl.lingxian@gmail.com

·         Ms Tang Jie Yee – srcsl.jieyee@gmail.com