KOTA KINABALU: Having lived in Peninsular Malaysia since 2000, Jason Manson never knew how bad things were for many of his fellow Sabahans during the Covid-19 pandemic until a chat with friends.

       The 42-year-old knew that many people, including Sabahans in the peninsula, were struggling ever since Covid-19 struck and put many sectors on hold.

       “I only found out how serious the problem was after chatting with fellow Sabahans here.

       “Later, they introduced me to a group called Sabahans in KL (SIKL) and we decided to come up with ways to help them,” said the chef.

       Partnering with some hoteliers, Manson and his friends got into contact with the Food Aid Foundation, which led to 200 food baskets being sent to needy Sabahans.

       Many of the recipients were factory workers in Klang, who were badly affected by the pandemic and economic slowdown due to the closure of factories and rising Covid-19 cases in the area.

       They sent in their names and provided details needed by the coordinators before they were screened and picked as recipients.

       Many of them can barely put food on the table.

       Manson said they were either inadvertently left out of the various assistance programmes or could not sustain themselves with whatever government aid they had received over the past year.

       “There were more submissions than we expected, so we will try to organise another drive in a couple of weeks,” he said.

       Food Aid Foundation founder Rick Chee, 62, said the recipients comprised those with families, who had either lost their jobs or suffered a major pay cut.

       “We obtained information of what they needed most at that time and provided food baskets that are meaningful enough,” he said.

       The foundation, added Chee, would continue to work with SIKL and other volunteers to assist those in need.

       Founded eight years ago, the group aims to channel surplus food and goods from eateries, hotels and supermarkets to the needy and homeless all over the peninsula.

       The group provides food aid to shelter homes, food banks and kitchens by working closely with corporate bodies and businesses, including Tesco.

       Chee said it was also looking at opening up a branch in Kota Kinabalu.