Tackling food waste and aiding the community

Jun 07, 2024

By Elvina Fernandez
Community service and environmental stewardship were at the forefront for the Ecology and Environment team of the Church of St Anthony (SAC), which recently participated in a food rescue mission.

The volunteer mission aimed to rescue surplus food from hypermarkets that were either nearing their expiration date or did not meet the aesthetic standards for sale and then redistribute it to the needy. The mission was organised to commemorate the Feast of St Anthony, a saint who was known for his extraordinary love for the poor and for his service in feeding the hungry.

The day began at 11.00am at Kechara Soup Kitchen’s food bank in Setapak. Here, the soup kitchen team briefed volunteers on the pick-up and drop-off points for the mission. Armed with this information, the volunteers from SAC then headed to their designated locations: AEON Mall Rawang and Lotus’s Rawang.

The food rescue mission was a testament to the adage, “Gather the pieces that are leftover and let nothing be wasted.” The volunteers managed to rescue a variety of food items, including bread, buns, and an assortment of vegetables and fruits. These items, often overlooked due to their appearance or looming expiration dates, were given a second chance to serve their purpose: to feed the less fortunate.

By the end of the mission, the team had collected a total of 70kg of vegetables, fruits, and pastries. But the mission did not end there. The rescued food was then delivered to a registered home under the food bank known as Pusat Kebajikan Warga Tua Wilayah Persekutuan in Kepong, a home for the elderly and children.

The surplus food delivered was indeed what the home needed the most currently, with the rising price of vegetables, fruits, and other food supplies to keep their residents nourished. The food rescue mission ended at 2.00pm. Volunteers also took the time to chat with the elderly residents and have a light moment with the little children who call the centre their home.

The food rescue mission served multiple purposes. It not only provided much-needed sustenance to the needy but also highlighted the issue of food waste. By rescuing food that would otherwise have been discarded, the team from SAC demonstrated how we could all contribute to reducing food waste and promoting sustainability. It is also a reminder that each and every one of us can do our part by sharing our extras with the needy in our neighbourhood, church community, or even the nearest orphanages and old folks’ homes.

“The food rescue mission by the Ecology and Environment team, which is under the Parish Integral Human Development Ministry, showcased the power of community service in addressing environmental issues and providing aid to the needy. The team’s efforts serve as an inspiration for us all to take action in our own ways to make a difference in our communities and the environment,” said SAC parish priest Fr Dr Clarence Devadass.

Individuals, teams, families, ministries, or church communities in the Klang Valley who wish to participate in a similar activity are most welcome to reach out to Kechara Soup Kitchen and do their bit for the underprivileged in our society.