Heineken Malaysia not too long ago launched its Heineken Cares 2022 programme, which sees the brewery transitioning from short-term food support to collaborating with seven non-government organisations (NGOs) and group companions to assist communities in constructing capability for long-term food security.
“At the height of the pandemic, we saw how vulnerable communities were in need of food aid. Responding to the call for help, we launched Heineken Cares in 2021, a social impact programme to connect our employee’s well-being at work with a purpose to support local communities,” stated Heineken Malaysia managing director Roland Bala throughout the launch occasion at its Sungei Way Brewery.
Heineken Malaysia’s company affairs and authorized director Renuka Indrarajah shared that this 12 months, they need to transfer past offering short-term reduction to communities in want and take it a step additional by empowering native communities to start out and preserve a sustainable food provide.
“By joining forces with Heineken Cares, our NGOs and community partners will be working on projects such as setting up small-scale community farms and satellite aquaponic systems, establishing and leveraging on existing alternative water systems to support these community farms, as well as distributing food provisions to those in need,” Renuka added.
The NGOs and group companions collaborating with Heineken Cares 2022 embody The Lost Food Project, Epic, and PWD Smart Farmability, whose initiatives are targeted in supporting communities in Peninsular Malaysia, in addition to Soroptimist International Region of Malaysia, Hopes Malaysia, Hope Place Kuching, and Kupikupifm, whose initiatives are supporting communities in Sabah and Sarawak.
In 2021, the corporate pledged one meal to an individual in want for each 1,000 steps taken by a Heineken Malaysia worker, finally delivering 150,000 meals to weak communities throughout the nation in six months. This was additional scaled up throughout the December 2021 floods, with a further 100,000 meals and care packages for affected communities.
Taking it a step additional, the brewer is asking on its workers to step up and obtain 200 million steps cumulatively from November 2022 to March 2023, subsequently rising its contributions by committing to offering three meals for each 1,000 steps made by an worker, with a aim to ship greater than 600,000 meals for weak communities throughout Malaysia.
For extra data, go to www.heinekenmalaysia.com or Spark Foundation’s official web site: sparkfoundation.com.my. – Michael Cheang
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