Half a million bowls of rice to be raised for needy families in the South East District

NTUC FairPrice (FairPrice) announced today its commitment to partner South East Community Development Council (CDC) for the annual FairPrice Walk for Rice @ South East charity campaign for another three years. This is the fifth year FairPrice is supporting this initiative by partnering its business partners and South East CDC to rally the community to reach out and play a part in helping needy families in the South East District. In 2012, through the efforts’ of 23,500 participants, FairPrice Foundation, the charity arm of FairPrice, donated 500,000 bowls of rice which benefited 7,000 needy families in the South East District. The beneficiaries of this charity campaign are financially-assisted families identified by grassroots organisations. FairPrice Foundation has since donated two million bowls of rice to this initiative.

The two-month campaign was launched this morning at Bedok South as NTUC FairPrice and South East CDC signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to mark the three-year partnership. The event was witnessed by Guest-of-Honour, Mr Lim Swee Say, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Secretary-General of NTUC, as well as Mr Lee Yi Shyan, Member of Parliament for East Coast GRC, Adviser to East Coast GRC GROs, Senior Minister of State in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and Ministry of National Development.

Mr Seah Kian Peng, CEO of NTUC FairPrice and Member of Parliament for Marine Parade GRC (Braddell Heights) said, “We are glad to announce that FairPrice is committing to another three years in support of this meaningful initiative. Together with South East CDC, we will continue to ‘walk for rice’ to contribute more to these needy families. Through the activities we hope to also rally the community to participate in the giving process and to raise awareness about how small differences can help bring positive change to those around us.”

Dr Mohamad Maliki Osman, Mayor of South East District and Minister of State for Defence and National Development said, “We are glad that FairPrice has committed to another three years of partnership with us. Walk for Rice @ South East has been an annual activity that combines promoting a healthy lifestyle together with a charitable cause in the South East District. This year, we look to raise another half a million bowls of rice to benefit 7,000 less privileged families in our district. Small efforts can contribute to significant change and we hope more residents will come forward to do their part for the community as we move towards a more giving and compassionate society.”

Over 700 participants comprising FairPrice senior management and staff, staff of South East CDC, grassroots members, and residents of the district participated in a walking event after the MOU signing. They walked over 1,500 km collectively and raised the first 15,000 bowls of rice. Some of this rice was then distributed to about 140 needy elderly beneficiaries of the Thye Hua Kuan Bedok Radiance Senior Activity Centre. All 13 divisions within the South East District will also launch their own series of Walk for Rice roadshows, to raise rice for their respective needy families.

How to Participate in FairPrice Walk for Rice @ South East 2013

For every 100m walked by participants, NTUC FairPrice will donate one bowl of rice towards the cause. To be part of this programme, members of the public can participate in walking activities at various road shows at the following NTUC FairPrice branches listed below.

They can also rally their friends and colleagues to create their own walking activity by signing up before November on here

Alternatively, customers can purchase participating products at all FairPrice stores island-wide (FairPrice supermarkets, FairPrice Finest and FairPrice Xtra hypermarkets) between 29 September to 9 October 2013. FairPrice will donate one bowl of rice for the purchase of each participating item comprising daily necessities like bread, beverages and toiletries.