ALOR SETAR, April 17 (Bernama) -- Hypermarket chain Lotus’s Malaysia will distribute 2,000 packs of iftar meals to asnaf, orphans and the less fortunate through the 'Lotus's Cookout With Food Aid Foundation' programme throughout this Ramadan month in the spirit of #KitakanJiran Lotus's Malaysia.

Lotus's Malaysia Head of Communications and CSR Hanim Hamdan said the programme, which entered its second year, had been implemented in four locations, namely Shah Alam, Selangor; Bahau, Negeri Sembilan; Manjung, Perak and the last one in Alor Setar, Kedah.

"This is a good initiative where Lotus's Malaysia together with its strategic partner Food Aid Foundation provide iftar meals to those in need and it is hoped that it will continue in the coming years.

"Like last year's Ramadan, the total number of food packs provided is 2,000 packs of which each location will be allocated 500 food packs," she told Bernama when met at Lotus's Mergong here today.

She said for today's programme the food provided was white rice, 'Japanese' style curry chicken, pickled vegetables and omelette.

"We start preparing the ingredients first at 2 pm before the head chef from the Food Aid Foundation and some volunteers from Kindness Malaysia start cooking the dishes.

"A total of 16 #KitakanJiran volunteers who are employees of Lotus's Malaysia also help put the food into the container before it is handed over to the recipients. The selection of the recipients of this food pack has been done by our partners," she said.

She said the programme will continue next year in other locations and the number of locations and food packs may also be increased from time to time.

Meanwhile, Food Aid Foundation Head Chef Neoh Kean Soon said he will ensure that every cooking menu contains two types of protein and nutritious food.

"For today's cooking, we prepared chicken, egg and vegetables. Four volunteers from Kindness Malaysia also helped with the cooking process which started at 2 pm today," he said.

Sabariah Mat Saad, 57, from Kampung Berjaya who received the food pack, hopes that Lotus's Malaysia can continue the programme to help the less fortunate like her.

-- BERNAMA