HUNGRY crowds thronged the Sima Charity Food Fair in Penang Times Square to satiate their appetites for a good cause. Most made a beeline for stalls selling mouth-watering hawker fare, while others snapped up tempting deep-fried snacks, homemade pastries and sweets, as well as refreshing drinks. As they munched away, they were entertained with musical performances by recording artiste Jin Chen, as well as the international-flavoured Cash Band. Many visitors also took the opportunity to shop for handicraft and household items from the 40 over vendors that had set up shop at the mall’s Chin Ho Plaza. The four-hour event recently was held in aid of the Sima Handicapped Centre and co-organised by Ivorycares, the charitable arm of Ivory Properties Group. The centre’s founder and director William Ch’ng said the funds raised would help support their monthly operation and training expenditures which could come up to RM15,000. “This year marks the 15th edition of our annual charity food fair. We started from zero and thanks to the generous support from the public and sponsors, we are now able to extend our help to over 200 people who are handicapped,” he said. The centre now has 30 disabled persons under training and job placement, as well as 167 registered members participating in its activities. Registered members are categorised under intellectual disability, physical disability, spastic, hearing impaired and blind. Ivorycares vice-president I Winnie Yeoh expressed her delight at seeing so many people from all walks of life coming together to support the event’s noble cause, and making it a great success. Pan Malaysia Sweeps Sdn Bhd was the event’s main sponsor. Its northern region head Ang Chai Hong said her company had been supporting Sima Handicapped Centre for the past seven years. She said this was part of their Big Sweep Project Angel (BiSPA) corporate social responsibility initiative aimed at uplifting the social and economic welfare of the underprivileged community. State Welfare, Caring Society and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh said the event was also in line with the state’s Penang 2030 vision of being family-focused. “I commend Ivory for being a responsible developer that contributes back to society. With love, one can create appreciation and trust whilst bridging the gap between the haves and have nots,” Phee said in his launching speech. Also present at the ceremony were Ivory Properties Group CEO Datuk Low Eng Hock, Sima advisor Lee Khai, Foong Sow Sanctuary pastor Christina Tan and church elders Tan Koi On, Lim Hooi Teik and Chew Chor Nam. For more on Sima Handicapped Centre or to donate, visit www.simahandicap.org