BERITA KAMPUS
Issue
Written on 7th May 2024
PKI'S FREE FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROMOTES SDG
Early preperation for food distribution by some volunteers. Photo by: Thanam A/P Parthiban
Main Campus, 7th May 2024 - ‘Persatuan Kebudayaan India’ (PKI), USM’s free vegetarian food distribution, happened on 7th May 2024. Free Food Distribution initiatives alleviates hunger and promotes the second Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) which is Zero Hunger.
PKI organised the event with the goal of addressing the urgent problem of food insecurity by offering wholesome meals to everyone in the USM community and beyond, regardless of socioeconomic background. The effort aimed to guarantee that no one went hungry and that everyone had access to the nourishment they needed for their health by providing free food to those in need.
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According to Vice President 1 of PKI Nandan Yogalingam, the primary goals of this free food distribution initiative are to alleviate hunger. It supports the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2: Zero Hunger by ensuring that low-income students or individuals have access to nutritious meals, thereby improving their overall well-being.
Nandan also explained, the local community is engaged and informed through posters, community meetings, and social media. Collaborations with Majlis Perwakilan Pelajar (MPP), the student body council, help spread awareness about distribution times, locations, and the initiative's importance. Word of mouth through community leaders also plays a significant role in spreading information..
“The benefits of the initiative are communicated to the public through success stories, statistical data, and testimonials shared via social media. Collaborations with Majlis Perwakilan Pelajar (MPP), the student body council, help amplify these messages and attract more support” said Nanndan.
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Food distributed by Yang Di-Pertua Kannigga Rajan. Photo by: Thanam A/P Parthiban
PKI plans for sustainability include securing ongoing funding through grants, donations, and partnerships with local businesses and organizations. Efforts are made to establish a strong volunteer base and develop self-sustaining projects like community gardens. Regular assessments ensure resources are effectively used for long-term operation.
The second secretary of PKI, Veenoshini Kannathasan mentioned that the volunteers from the Persatuan Kebudayaan India (PKI) are managed based on their availability during distribution times. A flexible schedule starting from 12PM to 2PM which is lunch time accommodates their availability, and ongoing communication ensures everyone in PKI is informed and engaged.
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“In my opinion, recipients may talk about personal experiences or tales of how the free food distribution programme has improved their own or their families' quality of life. Improved health, more energy, improved performance at studies, and less financial strain from food costs are a few examples of this” said Veeno.
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Many recipients of the initiative express gratitude for the chance to obtain wholesome food, particularly if they were previously facing food insecurity or had difficulty paying for sufficient meals. They could stress how important it is to get fresh produce, basic foods, or other necessities for a balanced diet and better health results, she explained.
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Free food availability might lessen the cost of acquiring wholesome meals for people and families who are struggling financially. Free food distribution programmes contribute to ensuring that everyone, regardless of income level or socioeconomic class, has the resources to achieve their basic nutritional needs by improving food access and affordability.
Text: Thanam A/P Parthiban Photo: Thaman A/P Parthiban
Created on 7th May 2024
