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East Java – The spirit of sharing during the holy month of Ramadan has brought together various segments of society in Surabaya. Business leaders, the Chinese community, and religious organizations have collaborated to distribute thousands of basic food packages to underprivileged residents.

The initiative was organized by the East Java Provincial Board of the Asosiasi Pengusaha Indonesia (APINDO) in partnership with the Yayasan Bhakti Persatuan, the Perkumpulan Pengusaha Indonesia Tionghoa (PERPIT), the Chinese Community Association of Surabaya, and the Yayasan Masjid Muhammad Cheng Hoo Surabaya. Through this collaboration, more than 10,000 packages of essential food supplies were prepared for distribution to residents in need throughout Ramadan 1447 Hijri.

Chairman of APINDO East Java, Eddy Widjanarko, said the assistance was not distributed directly but channeled through various institutions and community organizations to ensure the aid reached the right recipients.

“We have prepared more than 10,000 basic food packages during Ramadan. So far, nearly 10,000 packages have already been distributed to the community,” Eddy said on Thursday (March 5, 2026).

Distribution was carried out through several institutions, including the East Java Regional Police, Surabaya Metropolitan Police, the Kodam V/Brawijaya, the Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI), Nahdlatul Ulama, Muhammadiyah, Gerakan Pemuda Ansor (GP Ansor), and the Muhammad Cheng Hoo Mosque Foundation in Surabaya. According to Eddy, distributing the aid through multiple institutions was intended to reach more communities across different areas of Surabaya.

Earlier, on February 27, 2026, APINDO East Java and several organizations had already distributed 2,000 basic food packages through the Pemerintah Kota Surabaya. The beneficiary data was provided by the city government’s Social Welfare Division to ensure accurate targeting.

“We guarantee that the distribution of this assistance is precise. The recipient data comes from the Surabaya City Government, ensuring that the packages are delivered to those who truly need them,” Eddy explained.

Each aid package contains essential daily necessities such as 5 kilograms of rice, 1 kilogram of sugar, 1 liter of cooking oil, 500 grams of salt, coffee, instant noodles, soap, and other household staples.

Some packages were also distributed through the police. Surabaya Police Chief Lutfie Sulistiawan received part of the aid on Monday (March 2, 2026) for further distribution to local residents.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Bhakti Persatuan Foundation and member of the Advisory Board of APINDO East Java, Hermawan Santoso, emphasized that the social program has become an annual initiative that continues to be maintained consistently.

“We visited Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi to hand over 2,000 basic food packages. This is a routine program organized by the Bhakti Persatuan Foundation together with PERPIT, the Chinese Community Association of Surabaya, and APINDO,” Hermawan said.

According to him, distributing the aid through the Surabaya City Government ensures that it reaches those who truly need it, especially ahead of the Eid al-Fitr celebration.

Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi expressed appreciation for the concern shown by business leaders and community organizations that continue to support social programs for residents.

“Alhamdulillah, thank you to the Bhakti Persatuan Foundation, PERPIT, the Chinese Community Association of Surabaya, and APINDO for sharing their blessings through 2,000 basic food packages. We will distribute this assistance to Surabaya residents in deciles one to five, who fall into the underprivileged category,” he said.

Eri noted that the collaboration reflects the spirit of mutual cooperation in the City of Heroes and embodies the values of unity as enshrined in Pancasila.

This type of social assistance program is not new. Since 2021, various business organizations in Surabaya have regularly distributed essential goods to the community through the city government.

Source: jatim.pikiran-rakyat.com