Jurnal Keker Wisata DOI:https://doi. org/10. 59193/jurnalkekerwisata Edisi Juli 2025 Vol. 3 No. E-ISSN 2985-4466 Enhancing Social Solidarity And Self-Reliance Through The Distribution Of Basic Food Aid At Al Amani Orphanage Batam City Tirta Mulyadi1. Wahyudi Ilham2. Hari Sandi Atmaja3. Yusakh Yama Langi4. Bowen Algren Wuysang5 Culinary Management and Food Beverage & Management. Indonesia1,2,3,4,5 wahyudi@btp. id1, tirta@btp. id2, hari@btp. id3, yusakh53@gmail. bowenalgrenwuysang04@gmail. Abstract This community engagement initiative was designed to enhance social cohesion and promote self-sufficiency among the residents of the Al Amani Orphanage in Batam City through the structured distribution of staple food packages. The program emerged from the pressing need to assist economically disadvantaged children while simultaneously cultivating a spirit of collective responsibility and empathy within the broader community. The implementation involved not only the delivery of essential food supplies but also the facilitation of educational activities aimed at reinforcing the importance of mutual support and shared social values. Furthermore, the initiative encouraged the development of sustainable, community-based self-help practices. The outcomes of this program suggest that beyond fulfilling immediate nutritional needs, the activities contributed significantly to raising social awareness, reinforcing the ethos of social care, and fostering collaborative engagement. This demonstrates that even small-scale, community-driven interventions possess the potential to meaningfully contribute to the construction of inclusive, compassionate, and resilient social structures. Keywords: Community Engagement. Social Cohesion. Al Amani Orphanage INTRODUCTION Social Social cohesion and self-reliance are critical components in building an inclusive and empowered society. One of the most vulnerable groups facing social and economic challenges is children residing in orphanages. In Batam City, particularly, there are ongoing efforts to create a social environment that ensures equity and access to basic needs, such as food, for disadvantaged groups. In this context, orphanages play a vital role in providing care and support for children in need (Ummah, 2. This program aims to enhance social solidarity and self-reliance among the residents of the Al Amani Orphanage in Batam City through the distribution of basic food aid. This initiative not only addresses the essential need for food but also educates the children in the orphanage on the importance of collaboration, mutual support, and the social values necessary for the development of a more compassionate and empowered community (Afriansyah. By distributing food aid, it is expected to foster a sense of belonging and mutual responsibility among community members and orphanage residents, while also encouraging the development of self-reliance in the future (Wahyudi Ilham, 2. addition to meeting basic nutritional needs, the program focuses on empowering the children by conducting educational sessions that emphasize the importance of mutual support and community-building. As such, this initiative is anticipated to have a broader Ciptaan disebarluaskan di bawah Lisensi Creative Commons Atribusi 4. 0 Internasional. Jurnal Keker Wisata DOI:https://doi. org/10. 59193/jurnalkekerwisata Edisi Juli 2025 Vol. 3 No. E-ISSN 2985-4466 positive impact, contributing to the creation of a more caring, inclusive, and resilient society capable of addressing future social and economic challenges . amsiah, 2. As Batam continues to urbanize, the gap between different economic classes becomes more evident, with marginalized groupsAiespecially children in orphanagesAi facing significant challenges in accessing essential resources. While orphanages provide shelter, they often struggle to meet the nutritional and emotional needs of the children they care for. Given the rising living costs and the lack of adequate social support systems, these children are particularly at risk of food insecurity, which can have longlasting physical and psychological effects. In such situations, community-led initiatives can offer essential assistance, ensuring that children receive not only basic necessities but also feel connected to the wider society (Moridu et al. , 2. This program aims to address these issues by tapping into local resources to provide sustainable solutions. targeting both immediate food needs and the long-term goal of promoting self-reliance, the program intends to empower the children in the orphanage to play more active roles in their own growth and in the broader community. Additionally, the initiative encourages local residents to take responsibility for the welfare of vulnerable groups, fostering a sense of social unity and collaboration. The ultimate aim is to contribute to building a compassionate and resilient community, one that can collectively support its most vulnerable members during difficult times (Salsabila et al. , 2. COMMUNITY OVERVIEW The program titled "Enhancing Social Solidarity and Self-Reliance through the Distribution of Basic Food Aid at Al Amani Orphanage. Batam City" aimed to address social issues affecting vulnerable groups, particularly children in orphanages. Its primary goal was to strengthen community solidarity and encourage self-reliance among the children at Al Amani Orphanage by providing essential food support and promoting the values of mutual assistance and collective responsibility (Pratama et al. , 2. Beyond meeting immediate food needs, the program sought to educate the children about the importance of cooperation and social support. Educational activities were held to impart these values, encouraging the children to understand their role in fostering a caring and interconnected community. The combination of food aid and educational programs aimed to promote long-term self-sufficiency and community engagement (Mulyadi et al. This initiative highlights the impact of small but significant efforts in building stronger social connections and promoting a more inclusive and compassionate society Ciptaan disebarluaskan di bawah Lisensi Creative Commons Atribusi 4. 0 Internasional. Jurnal Keker Wisata DOI:https://doi. org/10. 59193/jurnalkekerwisata Edisi Juli 2025 Vol. 3 No. E-ISSN 2985-4466 (Hadiyanti, 2. By addressing both immediate and future needs, the project not only provided essential resources but also empowered the children to become self-reliant and engaged members of their community (Sholichah et al. , 2. The Al Amani Orphanage in Batam City serves as a safe haven for children who have been separated from their families due to various reasons, including economic hardships, neglect, or abandonment. This orphanage plays a crucial role in providing shelter, education, and care for these vulnerable children. However, despite its best efforts, the orphanage faces challenges in meeting the full range of needs for its residents, particularly when it comes to basic food security and social integration (Rahmat et al. , 2. The "Enhancing Social Solidarity and Self-Reliance" program aims to alleviate some of these burdens by providing immediate relief through food aid and supporting the orphanage's mission to foster social solidarity and self-sufficiency among its residents. The program recognizes that providing food assistance alone is not enough to build sustainable change. Therefore, alongside the distribution of essential food supplies, the program incorporated educational activities that emphasized the values of mutual cooperation, empathy, and social responsibility. By involving the children in these interactive sessions, the program sought to help them understand the importance of contributing to a unified and supportive community. Through these efforts, the project aimed to equip the children with not only the means to meet their immediate needs but also the skills and values necessary for becoming empowered, self-sufficient individuals who can actively contribute to the well-being of their community in the future (Gustina & Heriyanti, 2. Al Amani Orphanage. Batam, 2025 Ciptaan disebarluaskan di bawah Lisensi Creative Commons Atribusi 4. 0 Internasional. Jurnal Keker Wisata DOI:https://doi. org/10. 59193/jurnalkekerwisata Edisi Juli 2025 Vol. 3 No. E-ISSN 2985-4466 METHODOLOGY The community service program was implemented through a structured series of stages, including planning, execution, and evaluation, using a participatory approach focused on the actual needs of the target group. The stages of implementation are outlined as follows: Problem and Needs Identification The initial step involved direct observation and informal interviews with the management of Al Amani Orphanage to understand the current conditions and urgent needs of the The findings indicated that limited access to basic food supplies was a primary issue that required immediate attention (Afriansyah, 2. Program Planning The service team developed a plan for food aid distribution, taking into account the number of beneficiaries, the most essential food items required, and an appropriate delivery schedule. At this stage, educational materials were also prepared, focusing on strengthening social solidarity and fostering self-reliance. Activity Implementation The program was carried out through Basic Food Distribution: Packages containing rice, cooking oil, sugar, eggs, and other basic food items were delivered directly to the Reporting and Documentation All stages of the program were recorded and compiled into a formal community service report, complete with visual documentation, attendance records, and evaluation results. This report serves as a reference for future program development and can be adapted for similar initiatives. Al Amani Orphanage, 2025 Ciptaan disebarluaskan di bawah Lisensi Creative Commons Atribusi 4. 0 Internasional. Jurnal Keker Wisata DOI:https://doi. org/10. 59193/jurnalkekerwisata Edisi Juli 2025 Vol. 3 No. E-ISSN 2985-4466 SUTAINABLE RESULT AND POTENSIAL Identification of Problems and Community Needs The initial phase of this community engagement initiative involved conducting a needs assessment through on-site observation and informal interviews with the administrators of Al Amani Orphanage, located in Batam City. The assessment revealed pressing challenges in meeting daily nutritional needs among the residents, alongside the need to cultivate values of social cohesion and These findings served as the foundation for the program, which was designed to deliver basic food assistance and social empowerment Program Development and Planning Following the assessment, the team formulated a program distribution of essential food items. Planning entailed identifying the number of beneficiaries, selecting relevant food items . ncluding rice, cooking oil, sugar, milk, eggs, and instant noodle. , and setting a timeline for implementation. Educational content was carefully curated to encourage empathy, community support, and steps toward self-sufficiency, especially among the orphanageAos younger residents. Program Implementation The program was carried out according to the planned schedule, with participation from academic staff and student volunteers. Implementation was divided into Provision of Basic Food Aid: Pre-packaged food essentials were handed over to the orphanage management for equitable distribution among the Documentation and Reporting All stages of the project were thoroughly documented through written reports and visual records. This included photographic evidence, participant attendance, and evaluation summaries. The documentation provides insights into the outcomes achieved, obstacles encountered, and strategies for future improvement. Furthermore, this report will serve as a reference for replicating and scaling similar initiatives, especially those targeting vulnerable communities with sustainable, education-based approaches. Ciptaan disebarluaskan di bawah Lisensi Creative Commons Atribusi 4. 0 Internasional. Jurnal Keker Wisata DOI:https://doi. org/10. 59193/jurnalkekerwisata Edisi Juli 2025 Vol. 3 No. E-ISSN 2985-4466 CONCLUSION The community service activity conducted at Al Amani Orphanage in Batam City successfully achieved two main objectives: fulfilling basic nutritional needs and strengthening the values of social solidarity and self-reliance. Through the distribution of food aid, the program provided immediate and sustainable impact for the beneficiaries. Moreover, the active participation of the children in the interactive sessions demonstrated that a participatory and educational approach can enhance social awareness and foster a more independent character. SUGGESTION For upcoming initiatives, it is advised that these programs be designed as ongoing and sustainable efforts instead of one-time interventions. Beyond providing food aid, incorporating life skills training or fundamental entrepreneurship workshops could help further enhance self-reliance. Additionally, fostering stronger partnerships with social organizations, local government, and the private sector is essential to broaden the program's scope and long-term impact. REFERENCES