Grab riders unite to bring aid to underserved communities

In a heartwarming display of community spirit, around 120 Grab drivers and delivery riders joined forces to make a difference this Chinese New Year through the #GongXiMakan For All initiative organized by Grab.

Shanlee Tan, a Grab driver, shared her observations of the harsh realities faced by some of the most vulnerable members of society during her daily rides. “As Grab drivers, we often find ourselves driving through parts of KL that we normally wouldn’t go to on our own. And along the journey, we can see many people, especially at night, sleeping on the streets or children going through bins looking for plastic bottles and cans they can sell to the ‘sau kau poh chi man’ for money to pay for essentials they need at home,” she wrote.

To address these issues, Grab collaborated with several NGOs, including The Lost Food Project, Kechara Soup Kitchen, and others, for the #GongXiMakan For All initiative. The goal was to extend kindness and fellowship to the underserved communities during the festive season.

“In Klang Valley, where I was a part of, we worked with The Lost Food Project (TLFP), a food rescue NGO who believes in ‘Feed the Hungry, Not the Landfill’,” Shanlee Tan stated. She praised TLFP for saving 6.7 million kg of food from being wasted, equivalent to 19.1 million nutritious meals, and preventing 16.7 million kg of greenhouse gases.

Serving communities across Malaysia

The initiative spanned various locations across Malaysia, providing warm meals sponsored by local restaurants and essential food packs to more than 700 homeless people and 300 lower-income households in areas across Klang Valley, Penang, Ipoh, Johor Bahru, Melaka, Kuantan, Kuching, and Kota Kinabalu.

Reflecting on the experience, Shanlee Tan emphasized the importance of community support, especially with the reported increase in urban poverty. She stated, “As a community, it is imperative that we join hands to support initiatives aimed at supporting those who are in need.”

One Grab driver, Sharipah Mazenah, expressed her sentiments, “Being involved in this initiative gave us, a community of drivers and delivery riders, the chance to bring comfort and hope to the homeless. It is important for them to know that there are people out there who still remember and care for them especially during festive seasons when they might feel alone.”

Another driver, Mohamad Heruan Shah, from Penang, shared, “This initiative showed me the power of coming together as a community to support those in need.”

As the Grab drivers and delivery riders extended their support, the #GongXiMakan For All initiative showcased the impact of collective efforts in bringing relief and hope to those facing challenging circumstances, embodying the spirit of compassion and solidarity during the festive season.