In conjunction with the Merdeka, the McMillan Woods supported struggling hawkers by buying their food to give to vulnerable communities under its corporate social responsibility drive McM Cares.
Through the MCM Cares Program driven by McMillan Woods, it contributed RM20,000 for the campaign themed “Patronized as Malaysians, We Live to Eat” to support 17 hawkers who are struggling to keep their stalls open amidst the pandemic.
McMillan Woods Global founder and president Dato’ Seri Raymond Liew urged Malaysians to come together this Merdeka to lend a helping hand to those that are in dire need of support during the pandemic.
“As we celebrate Malaysia’s 64th National Day, it is now more important than ever to put our differences aside and come together to show our support to those who are struggling amidst this pandemic.
“There are many who are starving each day, not even knowing when their next meal might be. This drives me to contribute to the best of my capabilities to provide relief to these hungry souls and hawker stalls. I implore the rakyat to do the same,” he said.
The 3-day CSR Merdeka campaign, from Aug 27 -30, saw a total of 2,100 meals purchased from the hawkers and distributed to vulnerable communities in Shah Alam, Puchong, Petaling Jaya, Cheras, and Subang Jaya.
The beneficiaries included old folks’ homes, orphanages, B40 community, single mothers, e-hailing riders and taxi drivers, and even those from the tourism sector.
Liew enforced the idea of serving all the races in Malaysia through the CSR campaign.
“Equality was ensured in every step of the way, from the selection of hawker stalls to determining poor and struggling recipients, no one was turned away just because of their race,” he said.
The recipients identified for the halal meals were Rumah Jalinan Kasih, Rumah Cahaya Kasih Bestari, B40 communities at Pangsapuri Damai Utama, Puchong and in Shah Alam, single mothers community at PPR Taman Mulia, Cheras, food delivery riders and taxi drivers in Puchong.
Whereas, the recipients for the non-halal meals were Rumah Ozaman PJ, Praise Emmanuel Home, Rumah Kanak-Kanak Trinity, Rumah Juara Puchong, Trinity Community Children Home, IQ70 Plus (special kids), LIGHT Home, City Revival Home, Rumah Hope, Rumah KIDS Persatuan Rumah Kanak-kanak Ini Disayangi, Rumah Orang-orang Tua Seri Setia, refugee and B40 communities.
Yayasan Food Bank Malaysia board of trustee member Dr Mohamad Salmi Mohd Sohod said they have carefully identified 17 hawker stalls that were not making sufficient sales to survive.
“Some of these hawkers have been retrenched from their companies and turned to selling food for a living to put food on the table for their families. We are honoured to be able to play our part in this mission to not only support the hawkers but also to feed the underprivileged at the same time,” he said.
While Yayasan Food Bank Malaysia organized the food distribution among the Muslim communities, a team of volunteers from McM Cares assisted with non-halal food distribution.
