By Ling Hui
KUCHING, July 12: The Mandarin Express has launched its one-month “Let’s Help Each Other” campaign where the restaurant cooks free meals for the needy every weekday starting today.
A total of 54 packs of today’s dish — Singapore Hokkien Mee — was distributed to those who approached the restaurant at 12pm.
The original goal was to serve 50 packed meals a day but there were four more who waited in line, so the restaurant crew quickly gathered ingredients and prepared the extra portions.
As early as 11.15am, there were people lining up in front of the restaurant and numbered cards were given for them to claim their free lunch at 12pm.
Food distribution started at 12pm sharp and it took only about five minutes for all 54 to receive their food packets and be on their way home. The latecomers were advised to come again tomorrow, but earlier.
The Mandarin Express co-manager Nigel Wee said this week’s meals amounting to 250 packets are fully sponsored by The Mandarin Express itself.
Next week, he added, 300 packets will be sponsored by the Insurance Society of Sarawak as one of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes.
Wee also welcomed other interested sponsors, be it individuals, companies or associations, to approach The Mandarin Express to be a part of this meaningful campaign.
“Everybody can give help. It doesn’t have to be very big, it can be a small gesture even. Buying one meal or two meals is okay.
“One meal costs about RM5. If you give us RM5, we will prepare one meal. This campaign gives everybody an opportunity to help each other because these are tough times now,” he told DayakDaily after today’s food-aid distribution at Icom Square here.
Similarly for tomorrow (July 13), 50 packs of Yang Zhou Fried Rice will be distributed. As for what’s on the menu for the remainder of this week, it is Fried Foochow Mee on Wednesday (July 14), Curry Roti Canai on Thursday (July 15), and Economy Rice on Friday (July 16).
“It is an event to help each other during this trying time. Please share this info with those who may need a free lunch. Let’s spread goodness and fight Covid-19 together,” Wee said.
Insurance Society of Sarawak honorary secretary Eric Phang was among those present to hand over the society’s donation of RM1,500 to the campaign. — DayakDaily
