The School of Business and Management of Bandung Institute of Technology (SBM-ITB) and Food Bank Bandung through a community service program, LPPM-ITB, conducted a presentation on Food Bank in Mekarjaya Subdistrict, Bandung City. This activity was attended by 16 Posyandu (Integrated Healthcare Center) cadres from 11 RWs and Chiefs of Working Groups 3 and 4 in Mekarjaya Sub-district who are partners of Food Bank Bandung in every food donation distribution activity. This activity was opened by the Head of Mekarjaya Sub-district Adi Akhmad Sudrajat, S.IP, and the head of the Food for life community service program, Emilia Fitriana Dewi.
Mr. Adi as the Head of Mekarjaya Sub-district said that the existence of a food bank can help the government in improving the food security of its citizens who are still in difficulties, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Adi also thanked the Food for life team of SBM-ITB and LPPM-ITB for increasing the capacity of Food Bank Bandung which operates in Mekarjaya Sub-district.
The head of Food Bank Bandung, Gendis Ayu Satiti Irawan, gave a presentation on Food Bank. In her presentation, Gendis explained about the Children’s Healthy Intake (ASA) program which is engaged in preventing stunting, which is the priority of the Bandung City government. In this ASA program, posyandu cadres play an important role in providing education related to stunting and coordinating with Food Bank Bandung in providing information on the number of children who need food support.
The activity was followed with counseling provided by Dematria Pringgabayu and Kurnia Fajar Afgani regarding savings and bank loans to Posyandu cadres who became information hubs for local residents. The presentation of information on savings and loans by Dematria and Kurnia described practical information regarding savings, how to choose a bank, and the importance of asking for detailed information when applying for a loan from a bank. This presentation content may 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 performed on Saturday, April 10, 2021. Sheba conducted voluntary activities such as learning food bank’s inventory systems, sorting food products, and making donation packages for residents. After the activities at Food Bank Bandung warehouse, she proceeded with the distribution of 120 boxes of milk, 35 donation packages, and 72 cans of biscuits for sanitation workers at Babakan Siliwangi and Posyandu Melati, Kebon Pisang Sub-district. In this food donation distribution, 35 toddlers receive additional food aid consisting of milk, supplements, and vitamins.
Writer: Muchammad Gumilang Pramuwidyatama