KUCHING: Hope Place Kuching is appealing to the public to assist in its shortage of special milk formula supply required by 25 cases under its care.
Its founder Kelvin Wan disclosed that the special milk formula is required by its clients who are gastronomy tube (G-tube) patients and persons with disabilities (OKU).
He pointed out that the special milk formula is a bit pricey adding that people were more willing to donate 10 bags of rice worth RM200 in comparison to two cans of special milk formula for the same price.
The eight different types of special milk formula needed are Ascenda, Similac Gain Plus, Enercal, Ensure, Glucerna, Nutren Optimum, Nutren Diabetic and Nutren Fibre.
“We are taking care of quite a number of clients who require this special milk formula, but unfortunately we are facing shortage in our supply. The Covid-19 pandemic has affected many people’s livelihood so not many can subsidise or contribute for this.
“The special milk formula ranges from RM70 to RM100 per can. Different client requires different quantity of the milk formula but on average a tube feeding patient needs to feed every three hours depending on his or her weight. This would mean the patient needs two to three cans per week and it runs out pretty fast,” he said in an interview with New Sarawak Tribune on Thursday (July 15).
“We need around 50 to 80 cans which is estimated to be worth over RM5,000. This is because we usually deliver three months’ worth of supply to our clients. Our clients have been requesting but we cannot do much at the moment and we can only give what we have,” he added.
Kelvin also said that Hope Place has been advertising through various platform such as WhatsApp and social media for contribution of this particular item.
He expressed hope for the people of Kuching to continue supporting the NGO so that they are able to help the needy in the community.
“It is through everyone’s support that we can continue to help the needy in our community.
“Besides that, we also hope that they will help in informing us about those they know who need help. We strive to and will help as many people as we can,” he said.
Hope Place can be reached at 082-505987 from 8am until 5pm on Mondays to Fridays, and 8am until 12pm on Saturdays.
Donations are welcomed and receipts will be given upon request. The public can donate directly to Hope Place’s Maybank account 511289001160 or go to its Facebook page to donate via QRPay.
