KUALA LUMPUR: Nestlé (Malaysia) Bhd will support 2,600 underserved primary school students from across the nation through its annual Back-to-School initiative, as they gear up for the upcoming academic year in 2024.
In a statement, the company said the coordinated efforts of 50 Nestlé Cares and Empire Project Volunteers allowed the preparation of 2,600 packs of school essentials worth a total of RM800,000 comprising school supplies such as bags, uniforms, shoes, socks and stationeries.
This initiative benefits children from less favoured communities including orphans, single parent households and prison inmates, as well as kids with special needs and from some Orang Asli communities.
As part of the initiative, 1,500 households also received Nestlé goodie bags featuring nutritious products such as Nestlé Everyday, Nestum and Milo Activ-Go.
Extending efforts to East Malaysia, 10 schools in Sabah and Sarawak also received sports equipment, benefiting about 500 children to encourage physical activity and the practice of sport.
The company also joined hands with Jabatan Penjara Pusat Kota Kinabalu to provide school bags, along with food and beverage products, to nearly 200 children of inmates and surrounding B40 communities in Sabah.
Nestlé Malaysia chief executive officer Juan Aranols believes that it is part of the company's societal responsibility to extend a helping hand to those who are in need of support.
"Our annual Nestlé Cares Back-to-School initiative aligns with our goal to unlock opportunities for youth, and over the past decade, close to 10,000 Malaysian students have received support through the programme.
"This year, we are excited to expand our reach to an even broader spectrum across the nation, and we aim to continue making a positive difference for many more children in the future," he added.
The Nestlé Cares Back-to-School initiative is one of the many ways how Nestlé creates a meaningful impact in the lives of many Malaysians, whilst instilling a culture of volunteerism amongst employees.
Nestlé Malaysia has contributed over RM13 million for community support initiatives in 2023, on the back of similar efforts in previous years.