It is possibly the most recognizable “M” symbol on earth. From breakfast to dinner, from Big Mac to Happy Meal, McDonald’s is present in every strategic corner around the globe. And the localised menu of McDonald’s can just be as diverse as the culture of each country it sets foot in.

With more than 38,000 restaurants in over 100 countries worldwide, McDonald's has touched the hearts of millions of people from all walks of life. Since the very first McDonald's opened in Malaysia in 1982, it didn’t take long for the household brand to etch its socioeconomic footprint across different generations for a number of good reasons.

One of them is how McDonald's Malaysia reaches out to especially the needy and underprivileged members of the community. Apart from organising national programmes, McDonald’s restaurant crew are encouraged to engage with the community around each restaurant. Each McDonald’s restaurant across the country carries out at least 2 community activities a month.

Backed by a strong network of more than 300 restaurants all over the country, McDonald’s Malaysia has been consistently giving back to the community through meaningful community outreach programmes, year in, year out.

Restaurant-led community initiatives

Striving to create a positive impact in the communities it operates in, the McDonald's Malaysia restaurant crew has been consistently and diligently carrying out community initiatives over the years, participating in 1,200 activities in 2015 and aiming for over 7,000 activities in 2020. The number just keeps growing, as McDonald’s remains committed to reaching out to more and more people from all walks of life.

“Giving back to the communities we operate in has always been part of McDonald’s DNA,” remarks Azmir Jaafar, Managing Director and Local Operating Partner of McDonald’s Malaysia.

Such is the commitment and dedication of the McDonald's employees, serving the community with a big heart beyond food and beverage, which shapes the core value of the company, a proud culture that uplifts the soul of the givers and takers.

Visiting the elderly

Spreading goodwill and cheer to old folks’ homes every Chinese New Year has become something that McDonald’s employees take pride in. Every year, employees embrace the spirit of togetherness by spending quality time with the residents and giving them haircuts, sprucing up their homes, eating and chatting together.

Buka puasa with anak yatim

During Ramadan, McDonald’s Malaysia extends its charitable arms to orphanages and children’s homes through ‘buka puasa’ sessions. In 2018, more than 500 children from orphanages and children’s homes across Selangor were invited to a ‘buka puasa’ treat by McDonald’s Malaysia and Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) held at Masjid Kampung Raja Uda, Persiaran Raja Muda Musa in Klang, in collaboration with Majlis Agama Islam Selangor (MAIS), Lembaga Zakat Selangor (LZS) and Yayasan Islam Darul Ehsan (YIDE). Each orphanage and children’s home was delighted with a RM10,000 purse while each child also received ‘duit raya’.

In 2019, together with Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), Pusat Pungutan Zakat, and Majlis Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (PPZ-MAIWP), McDonald’s held a ‘buka puasa’ session for 500 orphans from 10 charitable homes, with each home receiving RM5,000 from RMHC.

Teachers’ Day celebrations

Each year, in conjunction with Teachers’ Day in Malaysia, Teachers’ Day parties are held at McDonald’s restaurants across the nation to honour the dedication of teachers in nurturing future generations. During the celebration, the teachers are entertained with games, photo sessions and refreshments to everyone’s delight.

Celebrating Children’s Day

Each year throughout the month of October, McDonald’s restaurant crew organises various activities with underprivileged children in conjunction with Children’s Day. Activities include visiting paediatric wards, taking the children for outdoor trips, spring cleaning orphanages and celebrating Children’s Day at McDonald’s.

Salute to healthcare frontliners

With the world fighting against the pandemic, McDonald’s Malaysia has lent support to the country’s frontliners since the onset of Movement Control Order (MCO) earlier this year as a gesture of appreciation for their tireless and brave work. Throughout the MCO and CMCO periods this year, the company has sponsored close to 200,000 meals to the country’s frontliners – including hospital workers, police and army personnel – and will continue to do so in the spirit of #KitaBoleh.

Recognition for community efforts

As a result of its ongoing community engagements and initiatives, McDonald’s Malaysia has received plenty of recognition for its efforts. Recently, for the third year running, McDonald’s Malaysia was awarded the Sustainability & CSR Malaysia Award under the F&B Quick Service Restaurant category. Earlier this year, the company was also recognised at the inaugural A&M 2020 PR Awards: Bronze for Best Engagement for a Targeted Community and also received the Halal CSR Excellence Award at last year’s World Halal Conference.

CSR Malaysia also awarded McDonald’s charity of choice, Ronald McDonald House Charities Malaysia (RMHC), for its excellent charity initiatives that were carried out in 2019.

For more updates on McDonald’s Malaysia, please visit www.facebook.com/My.McDonalds/.