10 Charities You Can Donate To During The MCO

Mikaela Anthonysamy

Mikaela Anthonysamy

Last updated 16 July, 2021

With more and more people losing jobs and even homes lately, there really is a need for those of us who can offer some help to step in. As you probably know, the #WhiteFlag campaign has made it possible for some families to receive food and groceries to sustain themselves.

Related: Here’s How You Can Contribute to The White Flag Campaign

It can be difficult to offer help especially during this MCO. To make it easier, we’ve put together a list of charities you can donate to right from where you are.

1. Kembara Kitchen

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A post shared by KembaraKitchen (@kembarakitchen)

Kembara Kitchen is a social enterprise and they run a catering business. But their business is used to help the needy as well. They have a team of volunteers who have been helping the underprivileged, especially from the time the pandemic started.

Recently, they shared on their social media pages that many newborns are being abandoned by their families, mostly due to the financial hardship.Following that, they have appealed for donations for formula milk and diapers for these babies. These items can be dropped off at their centre and the details are here.

They also accept cash donations, and you can find their bank account details here as well.

What do they need?: Milk and diapers for babies, funds
How to donate?: Details are available on their Instagram page
Contact: 017-883 5249
Instagram: @kembarakitchen

2. The Hope Branch

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A post shared by The Hope Branch Community (@thehopebranch.my)

The Hope Branch was started by comedian and actor Harith Iskander and his wife, Dr. Jezamine Lim as a means to collect funds to help those affected by the pandemic. They are now registered under the Registrar of Societies as Pertubuhan Harapan Amal Harith Iskander.

With the funds received, they have been distributing food to the needy, including those who are homeless and ill. The funds are also used for other forms of help such as transporting people to hospitals.

They’re currently crowdfunding on SimplyGiving for various initiatives, and you can contribute to any of these.

What do they need?: Funds to prepare care packs/groceries/food
How to donate?: SimplyGiving
Contact: 019-7093103
Instagram: @thehopebranch.my

3. Mercy Malaysia

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A post shared by MERCY Malaysia (Official) (@mercymalaysia)

With the pandemic raging for this long, they would need funds to be able to better support those who are affected. They’re also currently looking for volunteers who can help out at this time, particularly at the Hospital Angkatan Tentera Tuanku Mizan.

What do they need?: Funds, volunteers
How to donate/volunteer?: Donate through their website. You can apply to be a volunteer here.
Contact: 03-7733 5920
Instagram: @mercymalaysia

4. MAKNA

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A post shared by Reasons To Give - MAKNA (@reasonstogive.makna)

MAKNA is also known as the National Cancer Council of Malaysia. They’re a not-for-profit organization that supports cancer patients in various ways. One of these ways is by covering the costs of treatment, equipment and medication for those who cannot afford to.

As you would already know, the pandemic has placed a huge financial and mental strain on many. For cancer patients, not being able to get treatment fast enough because of financial difficulties only makes their burden worse.

If you do choose to donate, you can either make a one-off payment, or you can pledge a certain amount every month. You can also join their volunteer programme to provide mental support to cancer patients.

What do they need?: Funds, volunteers
How to donate/volunteer?: To donate, click here. To apply to be a volunteer, click here.
Contact: 03-2162 9178
Instagram: @maknacancer / @reasonstogive.makna

5.  The Malaysian Blind Association

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A post shared by MAB (@malaysianassoc.fortheblind)

Founded in 1951, the Malaysian Blind Association (MAB) has been home to many of the visually impaired in the country. The association has helped them pick up skills that they can use in their daily lives.

MAB also provides job opportunities for them by offering a massage service to the public. The visually impaired here are trained to be skilled masseurs and they can sustain themselves this way.

However, with the pandemic, it has been difficult for this service to operate and it has affected the rice bowl of the masseurs. As of January this year, MAB said that they needed funds to provide food for over 3,000 of these masseurs.

What do they need?: Funds
How to donate?: Via their website or directly to their bank account (details are here)
Contact: 03-2272 2677
Instagram: @malaysianassoc.fortheblind

6. Kechara Soup Kitchen

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A post shared by Kechara Soup Kitchen Society (@kecharasoupkitchensociety)

Not to be confused with Kembara Kitchen that’s mentioned above, Kechara Soup Kitchen has provided free meals to the needy for over 13 years now.

To continue providing this help, they need donations in the form of cash, food items and volunteers.

What do they need?: Funds, food items, volunteers
How to donate/volunteer?: Detailed info can be found on their website
Contact: 03-2141 6046
Instagram: @kecharasoupkitchensociety

7. Refuge for the Refugees

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A post shared by Refuge For The Refugees (@refugefortherefugees)

With things being difficult for everyone on the whole, we might end up overlooking an already marginalised group of people in our society: the refugees.

Refuge for the Refugees is an NGO that advocates for the rights and welfare of refugees. Currently, they are collecting funds to provide food and grocery packs not only for these refugees, but also for underprivileged Malaysians.

What do they need?: Funds
How to donate?: Details of their bank account can be found here
Contact: refugefortherefugees@gmail.com
Instagram: @refugefortherefugees

8. The National Autism Society of Malaysia

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A post shared by NASOM (Official) (@nasomcares)

The National Autism Society of Malaysia was founded in 1987 to provide support and care for adults and children who are on the autism spectrum.

While their centre is closed during the MCO, they will continue to provide help to those who need them. You can either make a cash donation, or you can join as a volunteer.

What do they need?: Funds, volunteers
How to donate/volunteer?: Details can be found on their website
Contact: 03-7832 5928
Instagram: @nasomcares

9. Rumah Charis

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A post shared by Rumah Charis 恩恵之家 (@rumahcharis)

Rumah Charis is made up of two welfare homes that look after children as well as the elderly.

They are in need of donations to provide the best care of both these age groups.

What do they need?: Funds
How to donate?: Details can be found on their website
Contact: 03-7781 5977, 012-472 3935
Instagram: @rumahcharis

10. Second Chance Animal Society

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A post shared by Second Chance Animal Society (@scas_my)

Let’s not forget about our furry friends in this time of need as well! The Second Chance Animal Society (SCAS) is a no-kill dog shelter. Instead of putting down these furbabies, their aim is to educate owners to spay pets so that there will be fewer abandoned dogs on the streets.

They also provide refuge for abandoned dogs until they can be adopted. Donations made to them will be used to care for these dogs.

What do they need?: Funds
How to donate?: Details can be found on their website
Contact: 012-9192263
Instagram: @scas_my

In case you didn’t know, any donations made to charitable organizations are tax exempted. You can claim back up to 7% of your total income each year.

Find out more on how this works:


Tax Exemptions in Malaysia

Lawyer-turned-writer, Mikaela demonstrates the sharp legal acumen to analyse topics and draw out the most valuable insights.

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