KUALA LUMPUR: To mark its 10th anniversary in Malaysia, and the impact the NGO has had on thousands of lives over the past decade, Kechara Soup Kitchen (KSK) organised a Food Bank Symposium which included seven global experts sharing their expertise in food collection and distribution.
Corporate partners and logistics companies critical for the Malaysian food supply chain also supported the event which was graced by Tengku Datin Paduka Setia Zatashah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, a regular KSK volunteer who has over the years worked alongside Malaysians of all ages and backgrounds to bring food and medical care to the needy.
Tengku Zatashah also initiated the #zerofoodwastage programme.
Also present was Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The celebration also included a giant cook-out by 60 UCSI University Hospitality students and staff.
“While we have grown in scale and impact over the past decade, we have remained true to our original mission of feeding the less fortunate. Hunger knows no barriers, and there are hundreds who go hungry daily in the heart of the Golden Triangle alone. Identifying the hot spots and providing aid in the most respectful and thoughtful manner possible is the ethos of KSK. We are proud of what we have achieved but much more needs to be done,” said Henry Ooi, president of KSK.
“Over the years, we have forged alliances and partnerships with many corporate entities which have also helped with job placement initiatives for KSK’s clients,” he said, stressing that these individuals had every right to be treated with the same dignity as more privileged Malaysians.
KSK’s flagship centre is in Jalan Imbi, KL, with large operation centres in Penang and Johor.
It became a member of the Association of Asian Food Banks in 2015 and embarked on the Zero Food Wastage program surplus food collection in 2016, which entails working with hotel and supermarket chains to collect unsold perishable items for distribution.
To support or donate to KSK please visit : www.kechara.com/soup-kitchen or email [email protected] or call 603-21416046.
