It is 16 days to Christmas! Have you made your wishes for Santa Claus to deliver your goodies? Every Christmas, I only have one wish for World's Peace and Food for all the hungry people. This may sound rather impossible but if everyone out there could spare some thoughts and time, together we could all help out to reach them in a small way.
Over the months, we both have been collecting leftovers and unsold breads, cakes & pies from a cafe and bakeries.
Over the months, we both have been collecting leftovers and unsold breads, cakes & pies from a cafe and bakeries.
When the bakery has closed for the day, we both would be armed with bags & plastic containers to transfer all the unsold items on the shelves to bring home.
We have to coordinate this collection about 3 times a week. It may not be easy and time sacrifices have to be made for me, my wife, Bruce and his wife too. When we think of the less fortunate and hungry friends who are homeless, our hearts would weep and hope our little collections would bring them some energy and joy that they are not forgotten.
Back to our humble home, my wife would sort them out nicely and pack them all into bigger boxes. We would pass them all to the team leader Mr Jonathan who leads a team of volunteers from the church at Kelana Jaya.
This team of Street Shepard are very dedicated and caring people who would pack all the various food into nice bags for the hungry people.
The crowd of hungry and homeless people have multiplied from time to time.
The distributions are done during the day and night. The food collected will never be enough and may run out but the kind volunteers would go all out to buy whatever is suitable and available so that no one would be left hungry.
May God always bless all the team of volunteers to have continued strengths and care towards the less fortunate friends on the streets.
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That is an amazing thing that both you and your wife are a part of. Is there a way for us living overseas to donate to the Street Shepherd's cause? Thanks for spreading the best holiday cheer there is, giving
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for your kind wishes. It is the least I could do since we are all working full time. Your donations would be most welcomed and you could kindly email me for details >>> twilightzone518@gmail.com
DeleteThank you again.
Can't imagine there are so many needy people in KL. It was reported that some people come with luxury cars to collect free food in certain places.
ReplyDeleteYes I am glad that you just realised that there are so many hungry people right here in our city. Would be good that you also help them as the saying goes "Charity Begins At Home" but you are buying coffin for someone in overseas instead.
DeleteYes, you're right. I should think about it seriously. Until know, i contribute to charity mostly in Thailand.
DeleteIt's really commendable that you and your wife are willing to sacrifice so much of your time to do this for those in need. Word of thanks should also go out to the bakeries who are willing to donate their unsold pastries away. Sometimes I wonder if it's the poor and hungry people that get fed or some people just take advantage of free food (you know how Malaysians are when it comes to free food)! >_< I guess when it comes to doing charity, one shouldn't be bothered by the few unscrupulous ones. I can't help but notice that those in line, some are dressed well, some hide their face (obviously they have something to hide), one that even looked familiar to me, some has dyed hair...they can afford to dye their hair but no money to buy food? ;) *scratch head*
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I am not so hardworking as I only fed homeless people at night on ad hoc basis only. Somehow this time the leftovers were being directed to me and I could not even reject them at all but to seek ways to carry out otherwise they would end up in the dustbins. It made me feel that I would be laden with guilt for allowing the food to go into waste. It was like a test.
DeleteI have noticed over the years those well dressed people who queued up for food at the different soup kitchens. I believed that they were really hungry with little or no money at that time and one should help without conditions. Put ourselves in their shoes, we definitely would not bother to get such free meals at the streets. Our good conscience tells us how we should behave and take what is deserved only.
Recently when I brought this church team to survey at the areas at night, I noticed a growing trend of foreign workers who could not afford to pay room rentals, so they had to sleep at any available space by the five foot ways. The situation forced them to adhere to these options. How sad!
The cafe and bakeries are doing a good thing and so are you and your wife and friends and the volunteers. May God bless all of you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind wishes. I am praying for the bakeries nearer my home to pass me their unsold stuffs so that I don't have to travel to Cheras at 10pm and pack them into boxes by 11pm.
DeleteCaring is sharing... keep the good work, TM!! God Bless!
ReplyDeleteThat's your wise motto "Caring Is Sharing".
DeleteMay God bless these people, and you!!
ReplyDeleteThumbs up thumbs up for the effort!
Thank you for your kind wishes. I wonder if there are homeless people in Taiping or Kamunting at night?
DeleteI too wish all your selfless work and priceless services continue to support the humanity on earth and there's nothing like feeding a hungry person. Truly admired and proud to be your friend
ReplyDeleteAll the best friends
Thank you my friend. I will continue to help as long as fate allows me.
DeleteGiving the food to the needy is so much better than chucking it into the dustbin!
ReplyDeleteI truly applaud the team members from your church! They motivated me a lot.
DeleteAmazing work, TM. More power to you and the wife.
ReplyDeleteThank you Madam Lili. I need more power and prayers!
DeleteNot many people willing to sacrifice their time for charity works nowadays but you, your wife and your friends are really having a great and kind heart. May God bless you, your wife and friends for all the good efforts.
ReplyDeleteWe will try our best to adjust some time for this cause. When there is a will, there is a way. Thank you for your kind wishes.
DeleteBless you, your wife and the people who do this good work! I just hope that those who line up for the food are those who are really in need. I am sorry for being skeptical sometimes.
ReplyDeleteNo worries, they often ate all the food right away in the open and asked for more. It would be nice if you cook some dishes for me to distribute on our own at night. Quick!!!
DeleteThe world is a better place because of people like you guys! xoxo
ReplyDeleteI am wondering if there are homeless people in Singapore at night? They have lots of them in Tokyo and Manhattan.
DeleteHave you thought of buying rice n other more nutritious meals to give as it would be better as a supplement to just bread :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your suggestions. This church team members always have lots of specially cooked meals and specially ordered hot Nasi Lemak to give out to them with plenty of clean mineral water bottles. Here, I am just sharing the small part that I contributed to them every week.
DeleteI always see AEON throwing out big plastic bags worth of buns at the end of the day. I asked them before and they said they are not allowed to give them out for fear of mishandling. I truly understand them as there are many dishonest people around too.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you do this, TM. The world really needs more people like you.
I am also eyeing at the bakeries at AEON and other shops too but I understand that they have to be cautious about the leftovers. These weekly collections we have are recorded properly for audit purpose and even on CCTV! LOL
DeleteI have yet to catch dishonest people who abused these leftovers. I would clobber their heads! Hihihihi
When you wish to do your part, you can cook a pot of one dish and pass to me! I would add rice into boxes and go around at midnight to give them.
may you and your wife and other partners be blessed for showing us the true spirit of this season :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Sean. Merry Christmas!
DeleteSince you know many restaurants and F&B people, do let me know if there are left overs that I could share with the homeless & hungry friends.
My email: twilightzone518@gmail.com
Sure! Will ask and email you if I find any!
DeleteA humble and selfless act of kindness to the less fortunate. Kudos.
ReplyDeleteThat is the true meaning of Christmad. Jesus' sacrifice.
Merry Christmas!
Thank you Rose. Merry Christmas!
Deleteeh eh eh, sounds interesting, how can i volunteer myself in this ? as in being part of your group ? by the way, i don't know if you're connected with William via FB, but do add me ( id : Arvind Ram Kumar ) perhaps can contact via FB Messenger, or Instagram : arvindrk86
ReplyDeleteKudos Arvind. You are the first person to come forward to offer your help. Since you know William, you can ask him to introduce you to the team at his church. All you need to do is collect food leftovers from your source and pass to them. I don't have Instagram or FB Messenger.
DeleteHi I am back. This is interesting. I wonder in SG, are there people doing the same thing, I think have, maybe I am not aware of the organization.
ReplyDeleteI am shocked to see the number of homeless and hungry people in your photos. In the last second photo, can see the uncle smiling and looking so happy, kudos to you and your wifey for bringing joy to the less fortunate.
Welcome back. I think your country is good that they have so many community centres to offer free food. However you need to talk a walk around the city at midnight to see whether the homeless would be sleeping there. There are plenty in Tokyo and Manhattan at midnight.
DeleteGod bless you and your wife...your works are never in vain.
ReplyDeleteThank you. This post is just an awareness with the hope that everyone could help in any way possible. Most of my friends are shocked to know there are real homeless people at midnight.
DeleteGod bless you and your wife...your works are never in vain.
ReplyDeleteI was very impressed by the warm heart of you,your wife and your friends.
ReplyDeleteI know there are bakeries and eateries that not allowed to give out leftover food due to some policies but what you and your friends are doing will definitely worth encouraging. Keep it up !
ReplyDeleteIt is very touching. You guys are awesome people with kind soul. Keep it up, Anay. You and your wife will be blessed with lots of happiness and good health.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you, TM. You are always inspiring people with your warm heart and motivating us to be better people.
ReplyDelete