RIAU ISLANDS —-— Efforts to provide sustainable assistance to underprivileged communities continue. One of the programs that has been consistently running is the Rice ATM, an innovative automated machine-based food assistance service. This program was created to ensure that underprivileged families can obtain their basic needs on a regular basis and with dignity.
In the Riau Islands, the Rice ATM Program has been operational since July 2022, with its first location at the Al-Muhajirin Mosque in Sekupang, Batam City. To date, the machine continues to actively serve beneficiaries every month.
To strengthen this program, Dompet Dhuafa is collaborating with the DANA digital wallet platform. Through the Dompet Dhuafa mini donation feature available on the DANA app, the public can easily donate to support the continuity of the Rice ATM in the Riau Islands. The funds raised are then converted into rice for beneficiary families.
The distribution of donations is centered at the Al-Muhajirin Mosque Rice ATM in Sekupang. There are a total of 100 beneficiary families, consisting of underprivileged residents and mosque caretakers who have been at the forefront of maintaining places of worship.
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On Saturday (11/15/2025), Dompet Dhuafa’s Riau Islands branch gathered beneficiaries at the Al-Muhajirin Mosque. On this occasion, they received rice ATM cards and explanations regarding their use.
Wulan Rahmadani, Program Manager of Dompet Dhuafa Kepri, explained that each card can only be used once a month, with each withdrawal dispensing 5 kilograms of rice. Each family is entitled to the benefits of this DANA program for four months.
“Through this card, beneficiaries can independently withdraw rice from the Dompet Dhuafa Rice ATM machine. It is easy to use, and we want them to experience more regular food assistance,” said Wulan.
One of the beneficiaries of the Rice ATM program is Siti Sofia, a caretaker at the Al-Muhajirin Mosque. Every day, she is responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the mosque. To supplement her family’s income and cover her child’s school fees, Siti also works as an ojek driver.
For Siti, the Rice ATM Program has greatly helped ease her family’s food needs amid rising living costs.
“Alhamdulillah, with this rice assistance, I can be more at ease. I can focus my motorcycle taxi earnings on my child’s school needs,” she said.
Dompet Dhuafa hopes that more parties will be moved to join this movement of kindness, so that more underprivileged families can be helped and live a more dignified life. Channel your best alms to help provide rice for underprivileged families through digital.dompetdhuafa.org/donasi/sedekahberas. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photos: Riza Muthohar, Fitin Agustin
Editor: Dhika