• Many needy families still need a helping hand despite economic recovery

While the economy has staged a steady recovery, NTUC FairPrice Foundation recognizes that there are still families in need of help and has pledged $1 million worth of food vouchers this year to disadvantaged families through Grassroots Organisations (GROs). All of Singapore’s 84 constituencies will receive a portion of the food vouchers which will be distributed to needy families by Grassroots Advisers from the GROs.

Mr Ng Ser Miang, Chairman for NTUC FairPrice Foundation said, “While many families will be able to reap the benefits of the economic recovery, there are still families who need a helping hand. We have not forgotten about them and we want to help these families meet their daily basic needs so that they too can pick up the momentum as the economy turnaround for the better.”

FairPrice first launched the NTUC FairPrice Food Voucher Scheme in 2002, to help needy families cope with the economic slowdown. Over the years, FairPrice has disbursed food vouchers worth $8 million to help needy families meet their daily essential needs.

Mr Hsu Jung Cheng, PBM, Vice Chairman of Kaki Bukit CCC/ Chairman of Kaki Bukit CCC Community Development and Welfare Fund Committee said, “The residents are very thankful of this gesture by FairPrice Foundation as many were concerned that they could be left behind as the economy picks up. These could be single-parent families, breadwinners currently out-of-jobs, elderly residents living alone, who now feel more comforted as they need not worry about their monthly basic needs as they sort out their own issues.”

Mr Noorden Bin Sulaiman, 81, a resident at Kaki Bukit who lives alone in a 1-room flat said, “I retired 11 years ago and have been living alone as both my wife and children have passed on. I rely heavily on my savings and worry if this is sufficient for me to live out my days. The vouchers are very useful as they will help me cover my basic needs like rice.”

During the downturn last year, FairPrice Foundation donated over $9 million to the community mainly to help needy families meet daily essential needs and to help advance the welfare of workers. Since its inception in 2008, FairPrice Foundation has donated over $18 million to help provide a better life for the community.