GEORGE TOWN: A group of friends, comprising traders and entrepreneurs, banded together to help the needy ahead of Deepavali.
Using the money that they had raised since the beginning of the year, they bought groceries to be distributed to more than 200 people in the northeast district here.
K. Ramesh, who operates an eatery, said this initiative had been going on for nearly 10 years, but the recipients were not many.
He said recipients this year were from various races and backgrounds, such as the Bottom 40 group, widows, single mothers and people with disabilities .
"Some of them are people in the neighbourhood and our customers, so we decided to help each other in the true spirit of Keluarga Malaysia.
"It is heartening to see their happiness and we plan to continue this initiative to help more people in need," he said in Jalan Sungai here yesterday.
Contractor Khairul Anwar Zainol Abidin said they hoped there were others out there who could do the same to help the needy.
"Recipients are given kitchen essentials, such as rice, canned food, flour, sugar and oil, as well as soap. We may not be able to help everyone in Penang, but we hope others could do something similar.
"Even if the effort is small, it will go a long way to help the needy."
Labourer K. Paranthaman, 60, from Gelugor here, said the donation was greatly appreciated, especially in preparation for the Deepavali celebration.
"I live with my younger sister, who is a widow with two children. So this help means a lot to us as a family."
Ibrahim Kassim, 74, from Jelutong, said the donation was valuable for him as he could no longer work after losing his right leg in an accident.
"I live with my wife and have no income and am now supporting my grandson whose mother disappeared several years ago," he said.
