A programme launched on 14 July lets diners at Pasir Ris Central Hawker Centre donate meals to needy residents.

Called Gift-A-Meal, the scheme is the first of its kind at a hawker centre, said social enterprise NTUC Foodfare, which runs Pasir Ris Central Hawker Centre.

The programme was launched by National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) Secretary-General Ng Chee Meng at the official opening of the hawker centre, where he spoke about the role of social enterprises in helping to moderate the cost of living.

Through Gift-A-Meal, patrons can donate a $3.50 meal set to needy residents in the neighbourhood through the Foodfare app or through hawkers.

The funds that the programme raises will be administered by the Community Development and Welfare Fund. Low-income families will be identified and given stored-value cards for the purchase of meals at any Foodfare outlet.

To kick-start the programme, NTUC Foodfare will donate 1,000 meals. If the pilot is successful, it plans to extend this initiative to other hawker centres.

Foodfare manages more than 100 food establishments, including hawker centres, coffee shops and foodcourts, islandwide.

Foodfare has a social outreach programme that provides affordable, nutritious meals.

Read more here.

 

Source: The Straits Times, 15 July 2018