A group of Grab drivers and delivery-partners recently participated in the #GongXiMakan For All initiative, giving out meals and food essentials to underserved communities during Chinese New Year.
The initiative aimed to reach out to the underserved communities, showing them kindness and fellowship during the Chinese New Year celebration.
NGOs such as The Lost Food Project, Kechara Soup Kitchen, Happy Charity Association, Persatuan Bulan Sabit Merah Malaysia, Society of Kuching Urban Poor, Hope Place, Rumah Kebajikan Anak Yatim & Fakir Miskin Perempuan and Pertubuhan Kebajikan Anak Yatim Lelaki & Miskin Baitul Mukmin helped to pinpoint underserved communities in marginalised areas and carry out the initiative.
As a team across Malaysia, they leveraged soup kitchen locations to provide warm meals to over 700 homeless people across the Klang Valley, Penang, Ipoh, Johor Bahru, Melaka, Kuantan, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu.
The warm meals were sponsored by GrabFood restaurants including King Kunyit, Nasi Anje 1, Guilt Free Society, Restoran Taufik, Big Coconut, SRC Food Court, Ceylonese Restaurant, Along Curry Station, myRecipe Café and Unknown Café & Bistro.
The team also gave out essential food packs consisting of rice, sugar and eggs to 300 low-income households in marginalised areas.
Reflecting on the #GongXiMakan For All initiative, Sharipah Mazenah, a fellow Grab driver based in Kuching said: "As a Grab driver, I have the privilege to serve my community every day, whether it's delivering food or grocery orders, or taking my passengers to where they need to be.
"I wanted to be a part of the #GongXiMakan For All initiative because it gave me another chance to serve my community. Being involved in this initiative gave us, a community of drivers and delivery riders, the chance to bring comfort and hope to the homeless. It is important for them to know that there are people out there who still remember and care for them especially during festive seasons when they might feel alone.
"I am so humbled to be able to do this together with my fellow Grab drivers and riders."
Meanwhile, Mohamad Heruan Shah, another fellow Grab driver from Penang, said: "As a driver, you get to meet people from very different walks of life. However, being part of this initiative was truly an eye-opening and emotional experience for me.
"Seeing the gratitude in the eyes of the families and children we were able to help reminded me of the true meaning of family, empathy, and kindness. This initiative showed me the power of coming together as a community to support those in need."
Overall, the Grab drivers and delivery riders worked hand-in-hand with the NGOs and GrabFood restaurants to ensure the success of the #GongXiMakan For All initiative.
They would also like to shout out to the NGOs out there for their work for the community in need.
Anyone from the public who would like to do their part or is free to support their efforts can reach out to the respective NGOs directly.