Free food at roadside table for Sabah villagers

Elsewhere in Penampang, Sabah, food supplies are being unloaded from a lorry. (Facebook pic)

PENAMPANG: Volunteers have been leaving free food supplies by the roadside for villagers living around Kampung Pogunan, near here.

This initiative, which began at the end of March, has benefited about 500 residents comprising Kadazan, Dusun, Chinese and Indian villagers.

Amanda Sybil De Rozario, 31, is managing the voluntary venture, which involves the distribution of cooking oil, eggs, salted eggs, Maggi noodles, fruits, corns, vegetables, chillies and fresh fish.

She said the food supply was donated not only by villagers but also individuals, irrespective of ethnicity, race and religion, with the hope of easing the burden of the affected residents.

“Every day for the last one week, I would place the food supplies on a table by the roadside at the entrance to the village for easy pick-up… one item for one family only,” she said when met by Bernama today.

Amanda runs this venture because the villagers do not have any vehicles to get food supply from Pekan Donggongon, which is about 10km away.

She said she would update the list of supplies donated by individuals on her Facebook page to be shared with residents of nearby villages.

A housewife, Elcarrie Bernard, 37, of Kampung Inobong, frequents the pick-up point to get her daily necessities. She said the effort had brought joy and relief to residents around Kampung Pogunon.

“Currently, it is difficult to go out, so we are extremely grateful for such a venture,” said the mother of three. - FMT