Johor first to expand student food bank aid beyond food supplies

SEGAMAT: Johor has become the first state to expand the i-FB Siswa food bank initiative to include daily necessities such as stationery and personal care products for university students.

Johor Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry director Lilis Saslinda Pornomo said the expanded assistance covers items such as stationery and personal care products to support students' studies and daily needs.

She said the state-level launch at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Johor branch's Segamat campus reflected a commitment to student welfare, particularly amid rising cost-of-living pressures.

"The i-FB Siswa initiative is based on the 3S concept — Santuni Komuniti (supporting the community), Selamatkan Makanan (saving food) and Sayangi Alam (caring for the environment).

"It aims to assist students in need, reduce food waste and promote environmental sustainability through the responsible management and distribution of donations," she said in a statement today.

Lilis Saslinda said the i-FB Siswa donation centre was currently located at the UiTM Segamat campus administration building.

To improve accessibility, the programme is planned to expand gradually to residential colleges across the campus, she added.

She said close cooperation between the ministry, higher education institutions, the private sector, corporations, non-governmental organisations and strategic partners was essential to ensure donations were collected and distributed systematically.

"The Johor Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry encourages more parties to contribute according to their means, whether through food, daily necessities, stationery, personal care products, expertise, manpower or other forms of support.

"The university also plays an important role in identifying students' needs and ensuring aid is managed and distributed in an orderly, transparent and prudent manner so that it reaches those who need it most," she said.