KUALA LUMPUR: THE Women, Family and Community Development Deputy Minister Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun recently visited Chow Kit Road and its surrounding areas to assist the Kechara Soup Kitchen (KSK) in distributing food and clothes to the homeless and get a better understanding on the plight of the urban poor.
“I wanted to know why there are people living in poverty in the city so that we can figure out a way to help them,” she said.
During her visit, Chew found out that many of those who came to collect food and clothes from KSK were senior citizens with no relatives to care for them.
“There are also people from out of town, foreigners and drug addicts. I understand everyone has their unique problem and that is why we need to deal with this on a case by case basis.
“The government may also consider the idea mooted by KSK president Datuk Ruby Khong, which is to establish a one-stop service centre where all services rendered by the ministry is made available under one roof.
“This will enable the destitute to easily register themselves with us so that we can look into their issues and place them in institutions such as Rumah Seri Kenangan, Desa Bina Diri and Anjung Singgah or old folk homes.
“We will also make sure the Welfare Department offers assistance to them,” said Chew, adding that Anjung Singgah, a temporary lodging and intervention centre for the homeless, is available in Kuala Lumpur, Pulau Pinang, Johor and Sarawak.
The KSK programme involves about 200 volunteers from corporate companies, institutions of higher learning, Nasi Lemak Project (a soup kitchen organisation), and Crisis Relief Squad of MCA.
Meanwhile, Khong said she set up the KSK project after being inspired by the Kechara House Buddhist Association Malaysia founder, Tsem Rinpoche’s works.
Khong said that when she started the project in 2006, there were only five volunteers distributing 20 packs of food.
“Today, we have over 100 volunteers joining us in our weekly activities distributing an average of 2,500 packs of food.
“We give out food to the needy between 1.30pm to 2.30pm on weekdays, 9.30pm on Saturdays and 5pm on Sundays at 12 locations including Bukit Bintang, Petaling Street, Pudu Raya, Pudu Market, Chow Kit, Masjid Jamek, Brickfields and Jalan Klang Lama.
“We prepare vegetarian food to cater for people from diverse religious background,” she said.