BUTTERWORTH: It was past midnight when AK Ang heard his dog barking non-stop.

       He looked out the window and saw a man rummaging through the garbage bin of the opposite house (pic) and then taking out some bags of rubbish.

       Ang went out and called out to the man. And what he learned broke his heart.

       The man had taken from the garbage bin bags of fried chicken bones, unwanted French fries and containers of half-eaten rice – he was scavenging for scraps of food.

       Recounting the tale in a social media post on June 26, Ang asked the man why he was scavenging.

       He found out the man was penniless and scavenged at night so that no one could see him doing it because he was ashamed of himself.

       Ang earned the praise of Malaysians online because he gave the man money on the spot, plus some rations from his home.

       He said this was not the first time.

       He once saw a couple scavenging for food scraps in his street’s garbage bins, also in the dead of the night.

       As more people lose their source of income due to the pandemic, tales of Malaysians falling on hard times are increasing, but fortunately, kind souls like Ang abound too.

       In Penang, several NGOs and the state government are doing their best to assist those in need.

       In Masjid Abdullah Fahim in Bertam, Kepala Batas, Ustaz Zulkhairy Ramli, 45, said those staying nearby who are in need can visit the mosque for free food supplies.

       “We have designated a corner in the mosque to provide daily essentials to those who are in need. All, regardless of religion or background, are welcome.

       “Just come and our security guards will give groceries such as canned food, rice, flour, oil, sauces, sugar and others.

       “Our guards will only take down their details and contact numbers. Times are tough and we are more than happy to help.

       “They can come anytime between 9am and 5pm or visit our Facebook page for updates (Masjid Abdullah Fahim SPU),” he said.

       Since the first movement control order last year, the mosque has prepared 50 food baskets every three to four days, sponsored by kind people and funds from the mosque.

       Pertubuhan Kebajikan Semangat Malaysia Pulau Pinang chairman Shafiz Rahim Raja said his NGO has been distributing dry rations to those who have lost their jobs.

       “We send basic household food supplies such as biscuits, flour, sugar, canned sardines, oil, rice, salt, noodle and tea, from Penang’s Mutiara Food Bank and kind individuals,” he said.

       Due to the strict standard operating procedure, this NGO only distributes food items on weekends.

       Those who would like to donate in cash or kind and those who need help can call Shafiz at 012-426 8926.

       A supermarket in Straits Quay, Sam’s Groceria, has also set up a food bank to collect and donate food supplies.

       The public can donate anything from groceries to daily necessities and those in need can get them there for free.

       Next to this food bank is a free food counter for anyone who needs meals.

       Penang welfare committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said people with difficulty getting food can contact the Social Welfare Department’s hotline in every district.

       Those who need help can call Penang Social Welfare Department at 04-650 5258/5259.

       On the island, those in Northeast District can call 04-226 4531/ 04-227 7413 and those in Southwest District can call 04-866 8442/4378.

       On the mainland, they can call 04-575 8715/8716 (North Seberang Prai), 04-538 2584 (Central Seberang Prai) and 04-582 1798 /2169 (South Seberang Prai).