Words by Susan Tam
Photos by Kamal Sellehuddin
Paying it forward is a charitable concept that we’re familiar with, but “paying with food” certainly has a Malaysian ring to it. We find out more about this latest movement in Kuala Lumpur that uses food to help the needy.
First it was burritos.
Then the menu was tweaked to spaghetti. And finally, after much feedback, it was decided that nothing could beat the sumptuous, locally-inspired spread of vegetable curry, fried chicken and nasi goreng as well as local kuih and fruits.
Meals for All founder Ramesh Vadiveloo humourously shared this with us as he shared his experience preparing food for the urban poor and the homeless.
Calling the beneficiaries ‘clients’, he says with a smile: “I guess burrittos and spaghetti may not have been suitable. Local fare is the best.”
Ramesh had picked western cuisine first because he was familiar with it, having worked as a manager running a Mexican themed restaurant called Frontera Sol of Mexico in Jaya One, Petaling Jaya.
Meals for All was born from Ramesh’s passion to help the needy after having been inspired by the concept of suspended coffee in Italy where a cup of coffee is paid in advance for those who can’t afford it themselves.
He replicated this act of charity by converting public donations into food for those who are unable to afford their own meals. The public can buy these suspended meals at RM7 each, through the movement’s site (http://meals.forall.foundation) or email Ramesh at ramesh@forall.foundation.
Since its inception in July, the movement has made 2,500 meals for the needy and they have achieved this by working with other restaurants and soup kitchens. Ramesh explains money gathered from the public would pay for the meals which are made using local ingredients from small businesses.
“The meals are then distributed through partner soup kitchens which include Kechara Soup Kitchen, Need to Feed the Need, Religion of Love and Dapur Jalanan,” he explains.
Sponsorships from Frontera Sol of Mexico, F&N Dairies Manufacturing Sdn Bhd and Petrix Trading and Service Agency have contributed to the operations.
The programme has been so successful that Ramesh has begun thinking of expanding it to involve up to 10 restaurants next year. So far, six have confirmed and each restaurant is expected to contribute 100 meals a month for an entire year.
“Restaurants can sponsor suspended meals, prepare the meals as well as create awareness as part of their involvement in this initiative,” he says.
The movement has received tremendous support particularly from students from IACT College who provided event management services and volunteered in raising awareness about the cause.
At Tuesday’s launch, social activist and campaigner Marina Mahathir and Kechara Soup Kitchen’s president Ruby Khong shared their support for the campaign.
“It is a good thing for this to have happened so that more Malaysians can realise that we have to address the homeless problem in Malaysia as there are many who do not have enough to eat and no place the stay,” Marina shares in her brief speech.
She added that she was encouraged by the participation of young students who advocate basic human rights.
“Human rights are not about protesting, but about having the right to shelter, right to decent food and right to live a life of dignity.”
So far, according to Ruby, the Kechara Soup Kitchen has provided about 10,000 meals a month in the Klang Valley, while in Penang and Johor Bahru hundreds of meals are provided on a monthly basis for the less fortunate. The Kechara team also puts in checks to ensure that no one abuses this support.
