With food prices on the rise and Malaysians feeling the pinch of shrinkflation (paying the same but getting less), it’s the poor and vulnerable among us who suffer first. Here are five street feeding ministries you can be a part of to share God’s love and serve the homeless and hungry.
In a recent study by market research company Ipsos, 70% of Malaysians surveyed had to tighten their belts in light of the increasing inflation1 with nearly half (45%) saying they were barely surviving.
The August 2022 study also revealed that 31% indicated spending less on food to save for rainy days. It’s therefore clear that with poverty, inflation and recovery after a pandemic on the table, we all have to brace for challenging days ahead.
For the homeless in our nation, however, the plan is to seek out the next meal or dry sidewalk to sleep. Without a stable income, home or savings to their name, Malaysia’s homeless communities suffer in silence.
You may be thinking, “I’m struggling financially too. What can I do?” Love takes on all shapes and forms! Get started by offering a few hours on a weeknight or weekend to volunteer with street ministries. Check these KL-based initiatives out.
1. Samaritan Ministries – Trinity Methodist Church, PJ
Under the Samaritan Ministries by TMC PJ, there are two weekly street feeding programmes serving the homeless and poor:
Brickfields Street Feeding
Day/Time: Saturdays, 1pm onwards
Location: YMCA KL
Services Provided: Lunch, Worship and Ministry, Medical Assistance Programme
Pasar Seni Street Feeding
Day/Time: Thursdays, 7.30pm onwards
Location: Below the Pasar Seni LRT Station
Services Provided: Dinner, Counselling
For more information, click here.
2. His HIVEs Street Ministry – Kenosis Homes
His HIVEs street ministry started by Kenosis Homes is an initiative by people from different churches with a heart for those living on the streets.
Day/Time: Saturdays, 2 – 3pm
Location: Downtown KL
Services Provided: Food & Drinks, Counselling, Medical Assistance
For more information on His HIVEs and to volunteer, click here.
3. Petaling Street Community Care – Cyndi Yong
PSCC was started by Cyndi Yong, a former tour guide with a heart for Chinatown. She began her street feeding project in 2020 amid the lockdown. To learn more about Cyndi and her story, click here.
Day/Time: 3-4 times weekly
Locations: Chinatown, Brickfields, Pudu, Chow Kit
Services Provided: Food
For more information on PSCC, click here. If you would like to donate or sponsor meals for the homeless, contact Cyndi at 016 641 8877.
4. KL Urban Fellowship – Community Excel Services
Through its Drop-in Centre, KL Urban Fellowship assists the homeless and hungry with meals, counselling and medical services. The Drop-in Centre is open from Tuesdays to Fridays from 10am to 4pm.
Day/Time: Saturdays, 1 – 3pm
Location: Jalan Sultan
Services Provided: Lunch
For more information on KLUF and to get involved, click here.
5. Urban Food Sharing / Sahabat Pudu – Full Gospel Assembly
This ministry reaches out to the homeless and jobless around Pudu through its Drop-in Centre. Known as Sahabat Pudu, it is run by FGA KL.
Drop-in Centre
Day/Time: Thursdays, 7.30 – 9.30pm
Location: Jalan Nyonya, Pudu
Services Provided: Dinner, Shower Facilities, Counselling, Job Placement, Rehabilitation Referrals
Lorong Brunei 3
Day/Time: Saturdays, 1 – 3pm
Location: Lorong Brunei 3 (opposite Pudu Plaza)
Services Provided: Lunch
For more information and to volunteer, click here.
“The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mind, you did for Me.”
We may not have the financial means to help a struggling individual or family, or perhaps we are struggling ourselves. God sees our struggles and knows our needs.
It is also at our weakest that His strength and glory shine brightest through our lives. As we reach out to serve those with even less than we have, we know that we are serving the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ – Matthew 25:35-40
Cover Image: PSCC
