Long queue at Miri Community Food Bank.
MIRI (July 3): The Community Food Bank, an initiative by Miri MP Dr Michael Teo, received overwhelming response from the local community particularly senior citizens.
Dr Teo when contacted said since the food bank started on June 28, most of those who come forward to obtain packed cooked food are the elderly.
“Though we are limited to one item for each type per person, we won’t stop them from coming every day. There will also be different menus daily. For today, there are chicken rice and steamed buns which are all halal,” he said.
When it first open, the community food bank prepared food enough for 50 pax. However, demands kept increasing by day.
This morning, 100 packets of chicken rice and steamed buns were given out in over an hour.
“Though there are many who queued up, we have our staff members standing by to ensure everyone complies with the standard operating procedure (SOP) of maintaining physical distancing and wearing face masks,” he said.
Packed food being given out at the Community Food Bank.
The food bank will continue to operate throughout the movement control order (MCO) period, Dr Teo added.
He also expressed his appreciation to good Samaritans from Miri as well as other places like Kuching for donating food items to the Community Food Bank.
“At first, we were in disbelief with the contribution from kind people, because we did not pledge for donation. But were thankful for their selfless act of spreading love and care to others, during this challenging times.
“The MCO is causing a lot of burden to the people, in many different ways, thus we hope to bring hope or at least provide warm food to them,” he said.
The Miri Community Food Bank counter is open from 9am onwards Mondays to Saturdays in front of Dr Teo’s Service centre at Miri Waterfront Commercial Centre.