Here's How You Can Donate Boxes Of Essential Goods To Families And Communities In Need

This Spotlight is sponsored by Shopper360.

With employers losing revenue and unable to pay their salaries, many lost their jobs, but still had to support themselves and their families. Without a source of income, it was incredibly difficult for them to pay for things like rent, daily essentials, food, and other necessities.

Although the situation is better now that we're in Restricted Movement Control Order (RMCO), many of these communities are still struggling to cope.

*Note: Name has been changed to protect the privacy of the individual.

"When the pandemic hit, I was having a really hard time. I had no job and no money to even pay rent, so my landlord told me to move out. I suddenly had to look for a place to stay. Luckily, I managed to get a place in another block in the same Program Perumahan Rakyat (PPR)," said Siti.

"I was struggling to feed my four children. Sometimes, I would go hungry so that my children could eat. My eldest son, at just 13 years old, felt the responsibility to go find a job so that he could help support me and his siblings.

Fortunately, I managed to get a job in a convenience store during the MCO, but that meant that I had little time to take care of my children. My mother was too old to take care of them as well."

Kotak Kasih are boxes filled with essentials - cooking oil, sugar, flour, fruit drinks/beverages, instant noodles, UHT milk, milk products/beverages, and shower gel.

Even though we're in RMCO now, it's important to make sure that those in need continue to get these essential supplies.

The Lost Food Project is a Malaysian not-for-profit organisation that redistributes surplus food and other goods to those in need, while Dignity for Children Foundation is an NGO that provides holistic care and education for urban poor children in Kuala Lumpur.

"I was very appreciative of even the smallest gesture of help, so when I heard of this initiative, I was glad and open to receive it. I was very grateful because even the smallest gestures matter. I felt very sorry for my children as I was struggling to give them food, but the essential items from Kotak Kasih can help ease some of the burden," said Siti.

You can do your part to help by buying Saji Cooking Oil or Good Virtues Co. Shower Cream at Giant, Econsave, or 99 Speedmart, and then uploading your receipt on the Kotak Kasih website.

Each item purchased will then be converted into a 'Heart', which equals to one Kotak Kasih donation.

With over 30 years of experience in the industry, they decided to use their resources and connections with various brands and retailers to do something to help these communities.

In collaboration with their partners, The Lost Food Project and Dignity for Children Foundation, Shopper360 also connected with Saji and Good Virtues Co. to bring this initiative to life. This campaign was also supported by retailers Giant, Econsave, and 99 Speedmart.

They also reached out to brands like MILO, CSR, Marigold, Giant, Goodday, Ibumie, and Tropicana Twister to get them to sponsor the essential items in the boxes.

For more information on what you can do to help those in need, check out The Lost Food Project and Dignity for Children Foundation.

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