Gurudwara Sahib PJ Needs Help Delivering 10,000 Free Meal Boxes To Stranded Flood Victims
The Gurudwara Sahib Petaling Jaya welcomes anyone, regardless of their race or religion.
As the Klang Valley deals with the aftermath of the heavy and persistent rain that has wreaked havoc across several states, and thousands of stranded people have sent out SOS messages on social media, a local Gurudwara in Petaling Jaya has sprung into action
According to its youth wing Petaling Jaya Naujawan, volunteers at the Gurudwara Sahib Petaling Jaya are preparing Langgar (free meals) that are to be sent out to the flood-affected areas in the Klang Valley.
The food being prepared is vegetarian/halal, and will be delivered in bulk to the areas that require assistance. As of this writing, the group has marked areas in Shah Alam, Subang, Petaling Jaya, and Klang.
"For assistance, contact: GSPJ Flood Foodbank at +6010-2174556," the youth wing said.
Speaking to this SAYS writer, a Gurudwara Sahib Petaling Jaya representative shared that they began preparing for the crisis past midnight after they received an alert from another local Gurudwara
According to Jagmeet, Gurudwara Sahib Petaling Tin near Puchong was badly affected due to the flood, and the attendees who had gathered at the Gurudwara Sahib Petaling Jaya for a camp sprung into action.
"After we heard about the flood situation at around 1am today, 19 December, following which we decided to get some rest before gathering together at around 7am," Jagmeet told me, explaining that they first started by utilising the ration that the Gurudwara had in its storage as Langgars are prepared daily.
"The next thing we did was that we created a helpline for the flood-affected people, and the calls have been coming in nonstop with people calling and seeking all kinds of assistance," he said.
"Sadly, we are only equipped with dealing with food requests. There are lots of requests for boats as well, which, we sometimes are able to link through to those who can offer their help."
Jagmeet shared that they have been in touch with local politicians including Kampung Tunku assemblyperson Lim Yi Wei and Puchong member of parliament (MP) Gobind Singh Deo.
He explained that while both the politicians have been sharing details about the Langgar, what the group needs most at the moment are more volunteers to assist them in preparing the meals.
Jagmeet also urged people who have four-wheel-drives (4WDs) or boats to come forward as delivering an estimated 10,000 Langgar boxes in bulk to the flood-affected areas is turning out to be a problem
The first batch of delivering some 5,000 food boxes began at 2.15pm.
At around 4.15pm, volunteers were on the ground providing aid at Taman Medan and its surrounding vicinity. However, the group still needs more volunteers with 4WDs that can help reach the flooded areas.
The Gurudwara Sahib Petaling Jaya, he said, welcomes anyone, regardless of their race or religion.
Volunteers, he added, will be required for food preparation, packing, and transportation.
Sharing further about the volunteering requirement for Monday, 20 December, Jagmeet said that the sessions will be divided into two parts for a better crowd control in order to avoid a huge gathering.
1st session:
8am to 11am
2nd session:
2pm to 5pm.
Those who require food assistance are encouraged to contact the GSPJ Flood Foodbank at +6010-2174556.
Apart from volunteers, the Gurudwara is grateful to anyone who can help with rations and cash donations to aid its Langgar preparations
Contributions towards its flood relief food bank can be transferred to the below details:
GSPJ Welfare Fund
Maybank
Account: 514169141318
The Gurudwara management said those who wish to contribute can WhatsApp the bank transfer slip to them at +6012-2369907 and they will issue receipts for the donations.
Those who wish to receive a hard copy are asked to share their mailing address.
Additionally, the management is also seeking basic medical supplies.
Those who are willing can drop the supplies and rations at:
Gurdwara Sahib Petaling Jaya
4 Lorong Utara B, Off Jalan Utara,
Petaling Jaya, Selangor 46200