By Vincent D’Silva

JOHOR BAHRU: As 2025 draws to a close, a small boutique with a big heart is once again stitching kindness into the lives of Johor’s most vulnerable. Momo Love Concept — a charity-driven pre-loved store founded by four siblings — has wrapped up its annual Year-End Distribution with an outpouring of generosity that touched families across neighbourhoods from Taman Daya to Taman Desa Mutiara.

This year’s initiative focused on two urgent needs: providing essential food supplies to low-income households and equipping children with school necessities ahead of the new academic term. In total, 100 families received food aid while 170 students were granted back-to-school support, including school uniforms, shoes, stationery sets, and, for 60 secondary school students, much-needed scientific calculators.

For the families who arrived quietly at distribution points recently, the relief was immediate — but behind the scenes, the effort was months in the making.

“We started Momo Love because we believed that kindness should be practical, accessible, and constant,” said Chris Pang Hwei Sim,49, the founder and one of the four founding siblings alongside Netty Pang Hwei Leng, 50, Konni Pang Hwei Vun,46, and Stephy Pang Hwei Hwei, 44.

“Every year, we meet families who remind us why this work matters. No child should begin a school year feeling lesser than others simply because their parents are struggling to make ends meet,” said Chris Pang.

Established in 2017, Momo Love Concept began as a humble charity boutique selling pre-loved clothing donated by the public. Over time, it evolved into a community movement. The boutique operates entirely on a Trust Concept, with a self-pay system that relies on customers’ honesty.

“People often ask us if we’re worried about losses,” Chris Pang shared with a smile. “But we choose to believe in the goodness of people. Trust is our foundation — and because of that trust, we’re able to channel more time and resources into helping families who need it most.”

Proceeds from the boutique go directly to community aid, while volunteers help sort clothing, prepare patchwork blankets — a traditional craft the sisters hope to pass down to the younger generation — and coordinate year-round outreach programmes.

“Our mission has always been simple,” Chris Pang added. “To uplift underprivileged communities, especially those from B40 households, regardless of race or background. Momo Love is not a shop; it is a bridge of hope.”

With the rising cost of living weighing heavily on households across Johor, this year’s distribution programme was tailored to ease the most immediate pressures. Foodbank parcels included rice, cooking oil, canned goods, noodles, biscuits, and other essentials that could sustain a family for several weeks.

Meanwhile, the Back-to-School programme — a core component of Momo Love’s annual initiative — ensured that children walked into 2026 with confidence rather than worry.

“For many families, buying uniforms or even exercise books is a heavy burden,” Chris Pang said. “We want every child to feel proud and ready. When a student receives proper school supplies, you are not just giving them things — you are giving them dignity, excitement, and a sense of belonging.”

The selection of beneficiaries was done carefully through groundwork assessments, ensuring that aid reached the most deserving households in neighbourhoods including Ulu Tiram, Taman Cendana, Taman Selesa Jaya, Taman Kempas, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, Taman Mahmoodiah and several others.

Although Momo Love Concept was founded by the Pang siblings, Chris Pang insists the movement is sustained by many hands — donors, friends, volunteers, and customers who continue believing in the cause.

“This programme is only possible because people care,” she said. “Every blanket sewn, every ringgit donated, every bag of rice carried… it’s all love. And that love grows year after year.”

This year’s campaign was supported by an extensive list of donors, including individuals, families, small businesses, and long-time supporters such as Dato Desmond, Ong (Kuali Kasih), Ecoware International Group, FVT Corporate Advisory Sdn Bhd, Kissdiamond, BBH Company, GAN Brother, Dato Wong, Ling & Family, Persatuan Penganut Buddha Hua-Yan, Hong Li Enterprise, Joff, Loh Cher Chean, Chee Yen Hung, Loh Zhen Yee, Tan Chin Chin, Max, Valen Diong, Kevin Poh, Vincent Chang, Mabel Yap, Pauline Chong, TKS Family, Helen, Renee, Estu, Koh Teck Peng, KTP Account staff, Sutha & Kevinder, Uncle Wong & Aunty Kathlyn, Arica Chan, Shirley Haw, and Tan Shok Weng.

Chris Pang expressed profound gratitude to each contributor.

“Some of our donors have supported us since the beginning,” she shared. “They don’t ask for publicity or recognition. They just want to help. That kind of quiet kindness keeps us going.”

As Momo Love enters its eighth year, the siblings hope the values that shaped their boutique will continue inspiring the wider community.

“Our dream is to keep growing this movement of compassion,” Chris Pang asserted. “If more people realised how even the smallest act of giving can change a life, Malaysia would be an even kinder place.”

With the final distribution completed and families heading home with lighter worries and brighter hopes, the year ends not with fanfare, but with gratitude — and the knowledge that kindness, when shared, spreads far beyond the season.

“Momo Love was built on belief,” Chris Pang reflected. “Belief that trust matters. Belief that community matters. Belief that love can be practical. And every time we complete a programme like this, we’re reminded that we are not alone — that so many people want to do good. That is what gives us strength to continue.”

As 2025 closes, Momo Love Concept stands once again as a testament to what communities can achieve when hearts open and hands come together — one family, one child, and one act of kindness at a time.