JOHOR BARU: Sixty-five needy families received food aid and cash ahead of Deepavali.
The recipients, comprising single parents from the B40 group and five dialysis patients, took home rice, oil, flour, curry powder, spices, sugar, coffee, tea, murukku and ingredients to make festive savouries.
The aid was handed over at the Sri Subramanian Temple in Jalan Kolam Air here by the temple's president, S. Gunasegaran, in the presence of his committee and the organising chairperson, Poongavanam Jeganathan.
Gunasegaran said the project was made possible by donations from temple members, devotees, Lam Soon Bhd and the Malaysian Red Crescent.
He said the charity project began about 15 years ago with the distribution of Deepavali hampers to 15 families.
"We hope the food aid will help the families reduce their household expenses, especially during the festive season, and add some Deepavali cheer," he said after handing over the aid.
He said the project aimed to help the needy weather difficult times.
"The temple was also involved in food distribution to the poor during the Movement Control Order."
Gunasegaran said the temple wanted to lighten the families' burden so that they can have a joyous Deepavali.
"We want to bring joy and happiness to these families who are facing hardship."
Recipient Sarojini Vendramuthu, 50, a single mother, said since her husband died last year, she and her three children have been facing hard times.
She said the temple's contribution of cash, goodie bags and groceries would make her family's Deepavali celebrations a lot better.
"I'm grateful to the temple for providing me with this help. Now I can have some peace of mind and celebrate Deepavali with my three children."
Recipient Gunasekaran Laxmanan, 63, who is unemployed, said: "I am a diabetic and with my age, I can't find a job these days."
He thanked the temple for providing him with goodie bags and hoped to have a simple Deepavali celebration with his family.
Meanwhile, at the Arulmigu Sithi Vinayagar Temple in Johor Jaya, two people and a non-governmental organisation received laptops from Pasir Gudang member of parliament Datuk Hassan Abdul Karim.
The recipients are students Pratibh Jayaprakasam, 19, Gajendran Kumaresan, 18, and the Welfare Bureau of the Arulmigu Sithi Vinayagar Temple.
Present was Johor Jaya assemblyman Liow Cai Tung, temple president S. Balakrishnan and temple committee members.
In presenting the laptops, Hassan said: "Understanding that students need access to the Internet and digital devices for online classes, we quickly came up with this project hoping that these laptops can help students study better and excel in their studies."
He hoped the laptops would ease the students' burden and facilitate their studies.
Pratibh said the laptop would help him complete his coursework.
Gajendran said: "I can now do my online assignments and email my lecturers if I have a problem."
Arulmigu Sithi Vinayagar Temple Welfare Bureau head K. Elanggo thanked Hassan for the laptop.
