GEORGE TOWN: Homeless people in the city are hoping to get more donations in the form of cash aid rather than being deluged with non-stop supply of ready-to-eat food in this blessed month of Ramadan.
Ibrahim Awang Kechik, 65, for one, said too many food items were being distributed to the homeless on daily basis, especially by charitable non-governmental organisations, to the extent of having the food go to waste without even being touched.
Ibrahim, who usually sleeps on the five-foot-way corridor near the Kapitan Keling Mosque here, said not that he was ungrateful for all the food, but a little cash would be much appreciated.
“More than two groups of donors will come to this area everyday to distribute food for the homeless to break the fast and even for ‘sahur’ (pre-dawn meal) and I’m grateful for the sustenance.
“But, it would be much better if we can get some cash aid. At least we will have some money to buy other things (that we need),” he told reporters here today.
For Salimah Hasan, 44, donations in the form of cash would enable her to buy daily necessities for her two sons, especially when Hari Raya was just around the corner.
“We are grateful for the food, but with some cash, at least I can prepare something better for my sons for Hari Raya,” she said.
Meanwhile, Penang Mountain Bike Association adviser Datuk Mohd Zaidi Mohd Said said the association was aware that the homeless people might need some money, especially during festive season.
He said that was why apart from preparing and distributing food, the association had also given ‘duit Raya’ to the homeless.
“We allocated more than RM4,000 for the purpose and had distributed the money to the homeless around George Town,” he added. --BERNAMA