In the bustling towns of Muar, Segamat, and Tangkak, a quiet but powerful movement is taking root. At first glance, it might be easy to overlook the small bamboo banks and red “Love” labels placed in one corner of a shop or perched on market stalls. Yet, these simple objects are quietly nurturing a culture of giving, transforming ordinary businesses into beacons of compassion.

Bamboo Banks Nurture Daily Kindness

In February 2016, local volunteers in Muar launched the “Bamboo Bank Era” campaign to support the construction of the Muar Jing Si Hall. Volunteers went door-to-door, inviting both residents and shop owners to place bamboo coin banks in their homes and businesses, encouraging the habit of saving spare change for charity. Over time, these bamboo banks became more than just containers for coins—they became symbols of hope and kindness, quietly sowing seeds of goodwill throughout the community.

Building on this spirit, the “Stores with Love” initiative officially began on May 16, 2023. Volunteers revisited local businesses, gifting them bamboo banks and red “Love” stickers as tokens of blessing, and encouraging customers to join in small acts of giving. By June 30, 2025, 1,220 shops across Muar, Segamat, and Tangkak had joined the movement, each one becoming a new node in a growing network of compassion.

Stores as Hubs of Community Goodwill

Each participating store—whether a humble market stall or a well-known chain—serves as a gathering point for kindness. Volunteers return three times a year to collect the filled bamboo banks, not only gathering coins but also the goodwill and trust of the community. The initiative’s name was changed in June 2024, following guidance from Dharma Master Cheng Yen, from "Businesses with Love" to “Stores with Love,” emphasizing that these acts of giving are not transactions, but pure expressions of goodwill.

A Map of Kindness: Connecting Streets and Hearts

For volunteers like Tan Su Lee (陳淑麗), the journey has been one of perseverance and faith. “We hope every street and alley will be filled with Stores with Love, so kindness can flow through the community and become the starting point for a harmonious society,” she shared. The movement started slowly, but with encouragement from experienced volunteers and the teachings of Master Cheng Yen, confidence grew. Today, the network of Stores with Love is expanding, with a goal of reaching 1,500 stores by the end of 2025.

Tan explained, “It’s not just about stickers and bamboo banks—it’s about starting a wave of love and intention. When kindness enters the community, it becomes a living testimony, not just a slogan.”

Everyday People, Everyday Giving

The impact of the Stores with Love is best seen in the stories of those who participate. Fruit shop owner Junkai Yao (姚俊凱) always greets volunteers with a smile, saying, “If you want to put more bamboo banks, that’s fine! As long as it helps people, it’s good.” For him, joining the initiative is as natural as helping a neighbor.

At Fang Shui Teahouse, owner Shizhen Li (李仕珍) quietly drops coins into the bamboo bank each day, wishing to help others. “Being able to help people is most meaningful,” she said. “I hope society becomes better because of it. Every time I see the ‘Love’ label, I feel a warmth in my heart.”

For vegetable vendor Lihui Lin (林麗慧), joining the Stores with Love was an easy decision. She immediately placed a donation in the bamboo bank and invited her first customer to do the same. “We have to lead by example,” she said. “If we do it, others will follow.” Her actions show that kindness can ripple outward from even the busiest market stall.

Bread shop owner Xinyu Wu (伍信羽) echoed this sentiment: “Doing good isn’t a one-time impulse, but a steady belief. If one person starts, more will join.” Though busy with work, she never hesitated to participate, believing that even a small shop can be a center of love.

Kindness Knows No Boundaries

The Stores with Love initiative transcends cultural and ethnic lines. Wonton noodle vendor Ruiyu Liu (劉瑞裕) makes a habit of dropping a few coins into the bamboo bank each morning. “I can’t donate a lot at once, but I can give a little every day,” he said. “If everyone does a bit, the power adds up.”

Malay vendor Mohd Fakrey Bin Mohamad Ezad and his family also joined without hesitation. “We’re not rich, so we understand the importance of helping others,” he explained. “It doesn’t matter who you are—Chinese, Malay, Indian—if someone is in need, we should help each other.” He encouraged volunteers to place more bamboo banks in the community, believing that “a little at a time, over time, becomes a mountain.”

Even as the sounds of frying noodles fill the air, vendor Ming-Cai Chen (陳明才) calls out, “You help people, so we must support you! Stores with Love, keep it up!” His words reflect the simple, steadfast spirit that now flows through the streets of Muar.

A Small Act, a Big Impact

A single bamboo bank may seem insignificant, but it holds the potential to change lives. As Dharma Master Cheng Yen reminds us, “Drops of water can come together to form an ocean; the goodness of many can purify hearts and minds.” The Stores with Love initiative shows that anyone, anywhere, can make a difference—no matter how small the act.

In every corner of Muar, Segamat, and Tangkak, these bamboo banks and red labels are quietly building a brighter, more compassionate community. As long as people are willing to take that first step, love will continue to flow, lighting up the world in the most ordinary of places.

Written by Yo Choon Yen (楊春燕)

Source: 富有愛心店 小角落大願力