Friday, 23 October 2026
LABUHANBATU SELATAN | INDATANEWS.COM - The National Zakat Agency (BAZNAS) of Labuhanbatu Selatan Regency distributed 500 food parcels to people in need, older people and people with disabilities on Friday, 16 October 2026, in Rintis Village, Silangkitang District. The aid initiative forms part of wider efforts to strengthen social protection for vulnerable groups and help families meet their everyday basic needs.
The distribution took place at the Rintis Village Administration Office during a working visit by North Sumatra Governor Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution and Labuhanbatu Selatan Regent Fery Sahputra Simatupang. The initiative highlights cooperation between the regional government and the zakat administration organisation to provide assistance that directly addresses the needs of local residents.
A total of 500 beneficiaries received food parcels intended to help meet their families' daily needs. The assistance is expected to ease household expenditure, particularly for people with limited financial resources who rely on additional support in their everyday lives.
Labuhanbatu Selatan Regent Fery Sahputra Simatupang emphasised the importance of social programmes that deliver tangible benefits to the public. He said people in need, older people and people with disabilities required continued attention to help them meet their daily needs more effectively.
Fery also called on the regional government, social institutions and all sections of society to strengthen cooperation in supporting people who need assistance. Such collaboration, he said, was an important step towards ensuring that social initiatives went beyond symbolic events and delivered direct benefits to those receiving support.
The aid distribution was attended by representatives of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum, the Chair of the Labuhanbatu Selatan Regional House of Representatives, the Head of the Labuhanbatu Selatan District Prosecutor's Office, the Chief of Labuhanbatu Selatan Police, the Commander of Military District Command 0209/Labuhanbatu, and the Labuhanbatu Selatan Regency Secretary.
Their presence underlined the importance of coordination between institutions in implementing social initiatives. The regional government and relevant agencies play a strategic role in encouraging collective action and extending the reach of programmes aimed at low-income communities.
The Chair of BAZNAS in Labuhanbatu Selatan Regency, M. Yusuf Hasibuan, S.Fil.I., S.H., oversaw the distribution alongside deputy chairs Supardi and Samsir Siregar. The participation of the agency's leadership forms part of efforts to ensure that religious charitable contributions reach those eligible for assistance.
Yusuf explained that distributing the 500 food parcels was part of BAZNAS's commitment to delivering tangible benefits to people in need through zakat, infaq and sadaqah.
By managing religious social funds, BAZNAS seeks to strengthen social solidarity while encouraging greater public participation in mutual assistance. Proper management and targeted distribution are intended to extend the impact of zakat, infaq and sadaqah, particularly for people who require additional attention and support.
Providing food parcels also offers a practical way to use religious charitable funds to help people cope with economic pressures. Securing an adequate food supply is one of the fundamental conditions for family well-being, particularly for households on low incomes.
For people in need, older people and people with disabilities, social assistance can help them meet their everyday requirements more effectively. These groups often face additional challenges, ranging from limited opportunities to earn an income to the need for assistance and support with daily activities.
The food aid is intended not only to provide immediate relief but also to raise public awareness of the circumstances faced by vulnerable people. Continued support is essential to help them meet their basic needs and live with dignity.
The distribution in Rintis Village also provided an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between the Labuhanbatu Selatan Regency Government and BAZNAS. The partnership is expected to develop further through targeted social programmes that reflect the needs of local communities and reach more beneficiaries in the future.
Looking ahead, the continued provision of zakat, infaq and sadaqah could help expand social assistance at local level. In addition to helping families meet their basic daily needs, such programmes can promote a culture of sharing and strengthen social responsibility across the community.
The initiative represents more than the distribution of food parcels. It demonstrates that addressing social challenges requires practical action, close cooperation and long-term commitment. The spirit of mutual assistance is expected to grow stronger in Labuhanbatu Selatan, ensuring that people facing economic hardship, particularly vulnerable groups, receive the support they need. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Jhon Fitra Sagala | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
