SBM-ITB and Food Bank Bandung Held a Socialization about Food Bank in Mekarjaya Village, Bandung

On Friday (9/4/2021), the School of Business and Management of the Bandung Institute of Technology (SBM-ITB) and the Food Bank Bandung through the LPPM-ITB community service program conducted a presentation on Food Bank in Mekarjaya Village, Bandung City. This activity was attended by 16 Posyandu Cadres from 11 RW and Head of Working Groups 3 and 4 in Mekarjaya Village who are partners with Food Bank Bandung in every food donation distribution activity. This activity was opened by Mekarjaya Village Head Adi Akhmad Sudrajat, S.IP and the head of the Food for Life community service program, Emilia Fitriana Dewi.

Mr. Adi as the Village Head of Mekarjaya said that the existence of a food bank could help the government in improving the food security of its citizens who are still having difficulties, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Adi also thanked the Food for life team of SBM-ITB and LPPM-ITB in terms of increasing the capacity of the Bandung Food Bank operating in Mekarjaya Village.

The explanation about Food Bank was given by the chairman of Food Bank Bandung, Gendis Ayu Satiti Irawan. In his presentation, Gendis explained the Child Healthy Intake (ASA) program which is engaged in preventing stunting, which is a priority for the Bandung City government. In this ASA program, posyandu cadres play an important role in providing counseling related to stunting and coordinating with the Bandung Food Bank in providing information about the number of children who need food support.

The activity was continued with counseling given by Dematria Pringgabayu and Kurnia Fajar Afgani regarding saving and debt in the bank to posyandu cadres who became information centers for local residents. Presentation of information about saving and debt Dematria and Kurnia explained practical information related to saving, how to choose a bank and the importance of asking for detailed information when applying for credit from a bank. The content of this presentation can help residents to become more independent in managing their finances.

This community service activity was followed by voluntary activities carried out by Miranda Bethseba Gabriela, an SBM-ITB student which was carried out on Saturday 10 April 2021. Sheba carried out voluntary activities such as learning inventory systems at food banks, sorting food products, and make donation packages for residents. After the activity at the Bandung Food Bank warehouse, the activity continued with the distribution of 120 boxes of milk, 35 donation packages, and 72 cans of biscuits for sanitation workers at Babakan Siliwangi and Melati Posyandu, Kebon Pisang Village. In this food donation distribution activity, 35 toddlers received additional food assistance consisting of milk, supplementary food, and vitamins.

Author: Muchammad Gumilang Pramuwidyatama