By Vincent D’Silva

JOHOR BAHRU: On a warm morning just days before the Lunar New Year, the doors of a modest neighbourhood shop opened not for business, but for compassion.

Boxes of rice, cooking oil, biscuits and neatly folded clothes lined the walls, while the sweet scent of freshly packed Chinese New Year cookies filled the air.

At the centre of this quiet flurry stood Chris Pang and her siblings, their hands busy and their hearts intent on one purpose — to ensure that no family in need would welcome the new year empty-handed.

For Chris, the annual distribution of aid is not merely a charitable exercise but a deeply personal tradition rooted in gratitude and empathy. This year, through their initiative Momo Love, the family prepared 200 carefully assembled sets of essentials for struggling Chinese families across Johor Bahru — a gesture of solidarity during one of the most significant festivals in the Chinese calendar.

“We grew up believing that Chinese New Year is not just about celebration,” Chris said softly, pausing between arranging packets of groceries. “It is about sharing blessings, especially with those who may not have enough. If we can lighten someone’s burden even a little, then the new year begins with meaning.”

Each set prepared by the family included basic groceries, festive cookies and pre-loved clothing — items chosen with care and intention. The campaign drew strong support from corporate partners, prominent personalities, NGOs and individuals, all of whom stepped forward to lend a helping hand to this noble cause.

The effort was more than a distribution drive; it was a labour of love that unfolded over weeks of planning, collecting donations and packing supplies. Every bag represented a household that might otherwise struggle to celebrate the season.

Of the 200 families receiving aid, 150 were invited to collect their packages directly from the shop. Throughout the day, they arrived quietly — elderly couples, single mothers with children in tow, and individuals who carried both gratitude and the silent dignity of hardship. Some offered shy smiles, others whispered blessings, and many lingered just long enough to express heartfelt thanks.

“These families are mostly from B40 backgrounds — single parents, elderly individuals, and those living in difficult financial circumstances,” Chris explained. “Some are penurious, some are raising children alone, and some are persons with disabilities. For them, a simple bag of groceries can mean everything.”

The remaining 50 sets were delivered personally by Chris and her siblings to families living in the Taman Sri Stulang PPR flats. Many residents there are elderly or persons with disabilities who find it difficult to travel. Rather than ask them to make the journey, the Pang family chose to bring the celebration to their doorsteps.

As they moved from unit to unit, climbing narrow staircases and knocking gently on weathered doors, the siblings carried not just supplies but warmth. In small living rooms filled with worn furniture and fading photographs, they handed over bags of necessities and exchanged festive greetings.

“One elderly auntie held my hand and said she had been worried about how she would celebrate this year,” Chris recalled. “When we gave her the groceries and cookies, she teared up. Moments like that remind us why we do this.”

Momo Love, the family’s charitable initiative, has become a quiet force in the community, focusing on helping underprivileged families regardless of background. Yet this Lunar New Year distribution holds special significance because it centres on the spirit of reunion and generosity that defines the festival.

“Chinese New Year is a time of renewal and togetherness,” Chris said. “But for many poor families, it can also be a time of anxiety — wondering if they can afford a simple meal or new clothes for their children. We want them to feel remembered, included and loved.”

The project, though modest in scale compared to larger charitable programmes, carries a powerful message about grassroots compassion. Without corporate fanfare or grand publicity, Chris and her siblings personally oversaw every step — from sourcing groceries to packing and delivering them.

Their approach reflects a belief that true giving requires presence. “We don’t just want to hand out items and leave,” Chris said.

“We want to meet the families, listen to them and share a moment of connection. Sometimes what they need most is to feel seen.”

As the final boxes were distributed and the last delivery completed, the shop slowly returned to its usual quiet. Yet the echoes of gratitude lingered — in the smiles of children clutching cookie tins, in the relieved expressions of elderly recipients, and in the knowledge that 200 households would greet the new year with a little more comfort.

Standing at the doorway as evening settled, Chris reflected on the day’s efforts with gentle humility. “We are not wealthy people,” she said. “But we believe everyone can give something — time, kindness, or whatever they can spare. When we share what we have, we create hope.”

In a season marked by lanterns and reunion dinners, it is often the smallest acts of generosity that shine the brightest. Through Momo Love, Chris Pang and her siblings have transformed simple bags of groceries and clothing into symbols of care — quiet reminders that the true spirit of the Lunar New Year lies not in abundance, but in compassion shared.