MoSA Food Program Raises the Spirit of Life of the Elderly and Empowers the Community

Due to her old age, this resident of Limbangan Village, Losari Subdistrict, Brebes Regency, cannot fulfill her life independently. Included in the fulfillment of food. So the food program for the elderly initiated by Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini, was very beneficial for Rumiah.

“The food tastes good when you're in good condition. But if the body is no longer good, the food doesn't taste good. I'm glad to have been fed. Thank you” said Rumiah, when met recently.

Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) of Brebes Regency shows that in 2020 the number of elderly people reached 225,754 people or 12.45 percent of the total population of Brebes Regency. In addition, data from the Communication, Informatics and Statistics Office of Brebes Regency in 2022 shows that there are 417 neglected elderlies.

The MoSA prepared a budget of IDR 787,661,312,000 with a target of 100,000 people for elderly food program and 33,774 for disability food program in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023. In 2023, Food Program for Elderly Living Alone assistance for Brebes Regency will be distributed to 1,096 Beneficiaries (PM). As for Losari District, it is 48 beneficiaries.

Food availability is prepared by local community groups. One of the members of the "Jaya Bersama" Community Group (Pokmas) of Losari District, Juaheriyah admitted that she is happy to be in charge of cooking for the food program for the elderly living alone. This work can ease the burden on elderly families. On the other hand, she has daily activities so she is not unemployed.

"It's nice to be able to feed elderly people, at least it can help to reduce the burden on their children and happy to have activities every day, so they are not unemployed," said a resident of Kecipir Village, Brebes Sub-district who cooks every day in this Food Program for Elderly.

Carrying out this activity as a member of Pokmas, this 41-year-old woman sincerely also received support from her husband.  "At five o'clock in the morning I arrive at the Pokmas Secretariat and start cooking. I came here with my husband. I carry out this activity as a Pokmas Member with sincerity and hopefully this assistance will run smoothly," she said.

Food assistance program is also felt to have an economic impact. This was felt by Muhammad Rizky, who is a courier for the elderly food assistance. For the 26-year-old man, delivering food to the elderly is a noble job.

In addition, there is also an economic impact. He earns Rp2000/Beneficiary. All are received with gratitude and lived sincerely. "I am happy with this job, and I will continue to do it. I have discussed it with my wife, and she said 'just live it first'. With the number of salaries, it is not bad," Rizky said when he was going to deliver food.

The food assistance provided consists of rice / others (adjusting to each region), side dishes, vegetables, fruits, and mineral water which is given twice a day in one delivery. Besides providing physically benefits, it also expected to increase the life expectancy of the elderly so that they become more enthusiastic.

Losari Sub-District Head of Brebes Regency Mohammad Faizin said, as an extension of the Central Government, he invited beneficiary families of the Food Program from MoSA to support the program in line with its goals.

“We must be grateful that the central government is still paying attention in realizing a welfare and to maintain food intake and adequate rest for the elderly, hopefully all residents in Losari District are given safety. As an understanding of our religion and in terms of social sense, care to each other pretend as a good deed, and hopefully it will also be the charity of all of us," said Faizin.