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Published: 12 July 2021, Monday
A common misconception is that there is no poverty and food insecurity in Singapore. While the situation is not as dire as in other places, this misconception is untrue. In fact, the less-fortunate in Singapore are the most vulnerable and worst hit by COVID-19, with more people suffering from food insecurity since the pandemic started.
Food from the Heart is an independent food charity established in 2003, devoted to alleviating food insecurity. While there are many ways to approach this goal, Food from the Heart focuses on reliable and efficient food distribution programmes for low-income individuals and families. Today, Food from the Heart supports 53,700 beneficiaries across Singapore with the help of over 10,000 volunteers. Learn more about Food from the Heart’s vision and mission, or keep reading to find out about Food from the Heart’s flagship programmes and how you can get involved.
Food from the Heart has found different ways to distribute food in Singapore, depending on the stakeholders and resources. With our partners’ help, we have been able to establish five food programmes that strive to alleviate food insecurity in Singapore, with different forms of food distribution to those in need to better meet their needs.
Food from the Heart started with the Bread Run programme. It distributed 198,000kg of bread to 22,880 beneficiaries in 2020, and we are constantly working to form new partnerships with more bakeries. Through the Bread Run programme, we partner with bakeries and hotels to gather excess unsold bread to be distributed to Food from the Heart beneficiaries. Volunteers operate the Bread Run daily, working hand-in-hand with social service agencies and bakeries.
Find out how you can participate in the Bread Run as a partner or volunteer.
Food from the Heart takes a sustainable approach towards tackling food insecurity through food distribution on a regular basis. The Community Food Pack programme provides beneficiaries with food packs month after month. The typical Food from the Heart food pack comprises of 10-12 non-perishable items such as rice, cooking oil and canned food, which were either donated or bought with donated funds. It is complemented with eggs, fresh produce and bread from our Bread Run programme. These Food Packs provide beneficiaries with food support, allowing them to focus their time, money, and resources on living expenses and the other demands of day-to-day life.
Find out how you can participate in Community Food Pack by donating cash, organising food donation drives, or contributing your time as an individual or group volunteer.
Food from the Heart first piloted the Community Shop in 2020 at Mountbatten. The Community Shop programme operates on a 'shop-for-free' concept, where beneficiaries are empowered with the dignity of choice to redeem up to 14 food items per month. This programme represents Food from the Heart's long-term vision for food support, where we provide our beneficiaries with targeted food aid and improved access to fresh and nutritious food, enabling them to maintain a healthier diet. Beneficiaries can enjoy the experience of shopping and interactions with volunteers and their neighbours.
We currently have a network of five Community Shops, located in Mountbatten, Boon Kay, Lengkok Bahru, Punggol, and Chong Pang, all run with the help of our volunteers. Find the full details of the Community Shops here, or support the programme by making a cash donation.
The importance of a nutritious diet to a growing body cannot be overstated. Unfortunately for underprivileged kids, their family circumstances might lack access to nutritious food, which can in turn affect their health as well as performance in school. Food from the Heart’s School Goodie Bag programme aims to bridge this gap by distributing food supplies that are part of a well-rounded diet.
The School Goodie Bag programme is fully funded by cash donations. Find out how you can organise fundraising campaigns for Food from the Heart in your community.
Market Place is Food from the Heart’s collaborative effort with supermarkets to match food items that are safe-for-consumption but no longer suitable for retail (e.g. dented boxes, or bruised produce) with beneficiaries by distributing them to welfare homes. Like the Bread Run programme, the Market Place programme also helps to cut down on food waste while feeding the needy.
Retailers can offer food donations to help the programme, whereas individuals and groups can volunteer their time to help sort and pack the food supplies.
Food insecurity has been an ‘invisible’ yet pressing issue in Singapore, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only worsened the situation for many. If you wish to offer your time, money, or resources to help with food distribution initiatives, discover more opportunities to help or get in touch with Food from the Heart for information.
