‘Caring fridge’ in Butterworth to ensure homeless don’t go hungry

SEEING the high number of homeless people who turn up for leftover food daily at the back lane of his shop, the owner of a chicken rice restaurant chain decides to do a bit more for them.
The thoughtful man, who wishes not to be named, wants them to have easy access to food and drinks so that they don’t starve or suffer from dehydration.
He has rented a refrigerator, stocked it up with food and drinks, and placed at the five-foot way of a cafe in Raja Uda, Butterworth, according to a report in China Press.
He is paying for the RM120 monthly rental of the “caring refrigerator” while Layer Gene Cafe foots the electricity bill.
The refrigerator was opened to the poor on May 23. It is filled with sandwiches, cakes, mineral water and packet drinks.
Wu Ri Jai, 30, who supervises the charitable deed, said his boss wants to do more for the homeless who turn up for leftovers daily.
“On the second day we see them take food from the refrigerator,” he was quoted by China Press as saying. “We also see some old people wanting to do the same but they were afraid to or unsure.”
The public are urged to donate fresh food so that there would be variety. Wu makes sure that food containing pork are not placed in the refrigerator. He also checks if the food are fresh.
The refrigerator is open from 8.30am to 11pm. “We do not stop anyone from taking food or drinks from the refrigerator. We are more worried of vandalism or freeloaders who take more than they need,” he said.