Kindness Starts with You

For Jolie, 48, every day is a balancing act. As a single mother, she works hard to provide for her daughter, who is preparing for the all-important PSLE this year. "It's a stressful period," Jolie admits, with much of their time spent together on revisions at home.

Just a few years ago, she was the sole breadwinner of a family of four, as well as the primary caregiver to her daughter and ageing parents. She recalled times when things were tough, but "with Food from the Heart, the food pack really helped me a lot. I am very relieved, definitely there's something on the table, because of the food pack." Even when funds ran low, her family never had to go hungry.

When her elderly parents passed on, Jolie faced an emotionally difficult period. What comforted her most were the small acts of kindness she received along the way. "I truly believe that kindness does matters. It's the small things that we do in daily life, supporting each other."

Now, in the midst of rising costs, the monthly food packs continue to be a vital support. "With the food supplies given by Food from the Heart on a monthly basis, it definitely helps me to offload a big part of my financial burden. All the food stuff... we consume them on a daily basis," she shared.

Herman, 46, agrees that "food is a basic necessity. That is also the reason why I volunteer with Food from the Heart. With food, we can do so much more, right?" I find it very meaningful." From going solo in the early days as a Bread Runner (volunteer for Bread Run programme), to delivering food packs with his children to families in need, his motivation for volunteering has remained the same over two decades: kindness.

And he believes kindness is contagious. "Many beneficiaries are very kind to us!" He shared about the times they offered him drinks, and also once, around Chinese New Year, when an elderly man offered to share mandarin oranges with him.

Jolie hopes her daughter, inspired by these acts of giving, will one day pay it forward. "These things that we receive over the years, it's not something that we are to be taking for granted." Together, Jolie and Herman remind us that generosity and compassion can ripple through families, neighbours, and communities–creating a better shared future for all.

You too can be part of this ripple effect. Volunteer your time, or donate to help bring food, hope, and joy to families like Jolie's.