WingMall is proving the ideal vehicle for charitable exercises to alleviate the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, with hundreds of users of the app going online to distribute freshly cooked food and essentials to those in need.

Many in the informal sector – including garbage collectors, cyclo riders and other casual workers – lost their livelihoods after travel restrictions were imposed in the capital to stem the spread of Covid-19 last month.

“I have seen so many garbage collectors and cyclo riders along the streets after losing the opportunity to earn an income. Sometimes, they do not have access to food and my heart goes out to them,” said donor Yi Sotheary.

Sotheary’s charitable effort reached some 70 distressed people in Phnom Penh within an hour after her small fundraising campaign among 50 of her friends brought in $370.

“The satisfaction of everyone coming together online to support the community is the same as going out and handing out food face-to-face. It just took a few clicks, and we ordered 70 portions of seafood fried rice and drinking water for cyclo drivers and garbage collectors.

“The important thing is to help people in need, and the platform has made it easier for people to donate. I was delighted to see on my mobile phone that within a few minutes the delivery team had shared photos of the donations,” the 30-year-old online trader said.

Cyclo driver Chun Thorn, a recipient of the food donation, said that the charity effort came at crucial time, with many people struggling to make a living during the pandemic.

“Since the outbreak I have returned home empty-handed because there were no customers. It is so humbling to see others recognise our difficulties.

“I received some donations along with other people, and I am extremely grateful to the donors,” Thorn said.

The donation process has been made simple – donors just need to open their Wing Money App and go to WingMall, and then key in the recipient’s details, such as name and location. Within 30 minutes WingMall drivers will deliver the products.

If a donor does not have a specific person in mind, they can type the word “donation” instead of a name and the WingMall delivery person will deliver it to a needy person at a location and share the photograph of the recipient as proof to the donor.

WingMall chief business officer Saksham Shubham said that donation process was designed to act as a bridge between donors and beneficiaries.

“This donation initiative is meant to help reduce the burden on countless families. Not only does it help those in need, but it also shows our solidarity as a nation to help each other during these difficult times,” said Shubham.

WingMall customers can shop online from thousands of outlets in Phnom Penh, which boasts a myriad of food and drink options.

Donors will be rewarded with a special discount and free delivery for their generosity.

All Wing Money App users can continue donating via WIngMall.