MELAKA: A second Five Loaves and Two Fish Kitchen selling affordable meals is operating in Jalan Bendehara opposite Ibis Hotel, following the opening of its first outlet in Tengkera last year.

A year after Chong Boon Cheng started the first one with her husband and a younger brother to serve the needy on 1 April last year, a second outlet was opened this April.

Her patrons are from all walks of life – senior citizens, the working class, tourists, foreign workers and others who love the affordable price of RM3 a meal for two dishes – one type of vegetable and one type of meat, or RM5 for one meat and two vegetable dishes.

“About 80 per cent of our patrons here are senior citizens who are residents at the nine-storey flats in Jalan Bendahara,’’ said Chong who started the food business to help the needy so that everyone could have a good meal.

Chong mooted the idea of selling affordable meals after losing her job at a durian specialty store due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Her brother involving in a sand-mining business was also in the same predicament.

“When you answer God’s calling, God will help you too,” said Chong, referring to her brother who had tried many ventures but failed until he answered God’s calling to serve the people.

“We are not just selling affordable meals but we offer gift from God. More people help us spread this message,” she said.

The contractor painted the outlet with a special price after learning about the outlet’s mission.

Friends have contributed tables and chairs for the outlet, Chong said.

While the outlet is not making huge profits, Chong said she was motivated by her faith as well as senior citizens who keep returning to the outlet for meals.

Five Loaves and Two Fish Kitchen is set up with the miracle of Jesus wanting His disciples to feed a large crowd. A boy had five small loaves of bread and two small fish where Jesus used it to feed over 5,000 people with leftovers to spare.

“If you ask me whether the business is good, I would say I care more about helping more people in a day,” said Chong.