FairPrice today donated $100,000 to the Pupil Breakfast scheme, part of the School Partnership Programme organised by Loving Heart Multi-Service Centre (Jurong Central) in Jurong GRC.

NTUC FairPrice Group CEO Mr Tan Kian Chew presented the cheque to Mr Lim Boon Heng, MP for Jurong GRC and advisor to Loving Heart Multi-Service Centre (Jurong Central) at the launch of the Centre’s 2008 School Partnership Programme held at Jurongville Secondary School today.

The Pupil Breakfast Scheme (PBS) began in 2006 with four participating Primary schools and 250 pupils. This year, the programme has grown to reach more than 500 students from 14 schools in Jurong GRC.

FairPrice Group CEO Mr Tan Kian Chew said: “As a social enterprise, it is our mission to make the good life accessible to all Singaporeans.  With the donation, we hope that more needy students will be able start their school day right with the most important meal of the day.”  

Mr Chua Song Peck, Chairman of Loving Heart Multi-Service Centre (Jurong Central), said: “I am very pleased at FairPrice’s support of the Pupil Breakfast Scheme, which has been well received by schools in the Jurong community. The

$100,000 contribution will benefit many needy students, who will now be able to enjoy a wholesome and healthy breakfast every day.  I would like to extend our gratitude to FairPrice for their generosity and hope that more companies will follow their lead.”

To fund the breakfast programme, Loving Heart Multi-Service Centre gives each school $225 per school year for each Secondary student and $150 for each Primary pupil.  The schools then administer the breakfast programme individually.

In line with its vision to be Singapore’s leading world-class retailer with a heart, FairPrice has been spearheading and supporting various charity projects in aid of the local community. These include FairPrice Big Heart Challenge, which raised more than $330,000 for five charities in 2007 and FairPrice Golf Charity, which raised more than $200,000 in aid of Food from the Heart in 2006, as well as the annual FairPrice Used Textbooks Project which provides needy students with free second-hand textbooks and the Boys Brigade Sharity Gift Box donation drive for the underprivileged.

FairPrice’s latest community initiative was giving a 5 per cent discount on more than 500 housebrand items in December 2007, to help Singaporeans cope with the rising cost of living. The discount scheme will last till late February 2008, to help needy Singaporeans tide over the festive period. 

Loving Heart Multi-Service Centre (Jurong Central) is a joint project by the South West Community Development Council, PAP Community Foundation (Yuhua Branch) with two voluntary welfare organisations, Cheng Hong (Siang Tng) Charitable Organisation and Thye Hua Kwan Moral Society. The centre’s mission is to serve the needy, enhance community bonding and add warmth to society.  Part-funded by South West CDC and supported by the Ministry of Community Development and Sports, the centre’s services are targeted at residents of Jurong GRC and South West CDC. Under the School Partnership Programme, the centre also offers the Skills Tuition and Mentoring Programme (STAMP), in which volunteers mentor students in life skills and character building.