The National Council of Social Service (NCSS) and Singapore’s leading supermarket retailer, NTUC FairPrice, launched the NTUC FairPrice-NCSS Discount Scheme today that enables Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs) to order essential items directly from FairPrice Online at a 2% discount off their purchases.
VWOs who have signed up for the scheme can also indicate on FairPrice Online’s website (www.fairprice.com.sg) specific items that their beneficiaries require, so that members of the public may purchase the specified items online and donate them to a VWO of their choice.
Enabling VWOs
Commenting on the Scheme, Ms Ang Bee Lian, Chief Executive Officer of NCSS, said, “NCSS, as an enabler, facilitator and leader in the social service sector, will continue to find partners and ways to help VWOs to become better service providers to serve those in need.
“NCSS has launched a spectrum of schemes from provision of membership benefits such as discounts for computer software, to Civil Service Club Associate Membership for VWO staff. The pooling of resources, support, in-kind or augmentation of shared services like the NTUC FairPrice-NCSS Discount Scheme for VWOs, are ways where NCSS continues to engage and enable VWOs. This preferential purchase scheme will allow VWOs to enjoy lower operating costs through economies of scale.”
Collaboration between NCSS and NTUC FairPrice
The collaboration with NCSS marks the first time NTUC FairPrice is launching a preferential purchase scheme for the non-profit sector through FairPrice Online, which was set up in 2002.
Mr Seah Kian Peng, CEO (Singapore), NTUC FairPrice said, “We are always looking for more ways to serve the community and this new discount scheme for VWOs using the FairPrice Online store, demonstrates how we can leverage on technology to do more good. Beyond offering VWOs cost savings in purchasing food and groceries for their beneficiaries, this scheme also gives VWOs a channel to tap the goodwill of our online customers. We hope our online customers can join us in our efforts to help the less fortunate in our community.”
Over the years, NTUC FairPrice has contributed to various causes in the community, which are aligned with its social mission. With strong support from customers, FairPrice will be able to do even more for the community. FairPrice Foundation – the charity arm of NTUC FairPrice – has donated over $17 million to the community to date.
VWOs Welcome the Scheme
To date, 61 VWOs have signed up for the Scheme, one of which is Singapore Cheshire Home. “The savings from the NTUC FairPrice-NCSS Discount Scheme for VWOs could potentially be substantial to Singapore Cheshire Home as the home sets aside up to $90,000 annually to provide food and household items for our beneficiaries. Cost savings from the 2% discount and donations by members of the public will, undoubtedly, lower the expenditure of the home. I would like to appeal to the community to do their part for charity by donating the requested items through the FairPrice Online website for the beneficiaries of Singapore Cheshire Home,” said Ms Florence Chow, General Manager of Singapore Cheshire Home.
Donate to Charity Online
Online donations can be made at www.fairprice.com.sg. The public need only register as a FairPrice Online user if they have not already done so, select the listed VWOs, and choose from a list of groceries to donate. Payments can only be made via credit or debit cards through the FairPrice Online portal.
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National Council of Social Service
The National Council of Social Service (NCSS) is the umbrella body for over 400 member Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs) in Singapore. Its mission is to provide leadership and direction in social services, to enhance the capabilities of social service organisations, and to promote strategic partnerships for social services. In FY2008, $178 million was disbursed to 602 programmes in the social service sector.
