AMPANG, June 17 (Sin Chew Daily) — A food stall not only delivers free meals but also offers set meals at affordable prices for all during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Na Xie Nian (literally "Those Years") at Galaxy Ampang Mall started the "fill your stomach" event in mid-May for patrons to choose between a RM2 or RM4 meal.

The owner Li Yao Jie said those who are financially struggling can pay RM2 for a meal at his stall.

But for those who are financially better off but wish to help more people, they can go for the RM4 meal.

The restaurant has attracted many patrons ever since the launch of the "fill your stomach" campaign.

Due to a spike in prices of greens in recent weeks, Li was forced to temporarily stop the "fill your stomach" campaign.

He started another promotional offer that allows a patron to buy a RM4 set meal of nasi lemak, chicken rice or curry noodle.

This is another option for his patrons to have a meal at affordable costs.

Li said since the government enforced the Movement Control Order (MCO), he has initiated various community activities, including delivering chicken rice to slum areas.

"We discover that many are starving during the MCO. Instead of lending them money, I let them come to my stall to have a free meal," he said.

On the seventh day of MCO, Li started delivering free chicken rice to the needy on March 23, especially in the slum.

Li's generosity in delivery free chicken rice had also attracted others to join him. He has since delivered to 900 families. 

"Right from beginning we prepared budget for the chicken rice. When my patrons learned about the free chicken rice they chipped in money to pay for the chicken rice and we take charge to deliver. We deliver to different areas including Pandan, Cheras and Ampang, mainly targeting at the poor," he said.

Li's 16-year-old son Xian Zheng joined him. The "fill your stomach" campaign was actually the brainchild of the teenager.

Xian Zheng has been staying home since the start of the MCO due to school closure. He has thought of various projects to help needy people.

Li said he used to accompany his father for breakfast when he was young, and he wanted to own a restaurant when he grew up to offer families an opportunity to dine together.

While the series of promotion launched would have increased his financial burden, Li was of the view that the human touch was more important.

By adopting the strategy of making slim profit on higher sale volume, Li said his patrons would continue to dine at his stall.