In 2015, The Food Bank Singapore redistributed 157,400kg of unwanted food, here are 3 ways you can easily do your part to help
By Nicole-Marie Ng
Established in 2012, The Food Bank Singapore, founded by siblings Nichol and Nicholas Ng has helped provide the needy with food. The Food Bank is a place where individuals and companies can deposit their unused and unwanted food, it then distributes this food to the needy via family service centres, soup kitchens, and other voluntary welfare organisations. They currently support more than 160 beneficiary organisations, helping more than 100,000 people gain access to food.
This year, The Food Bank Singapore has launched Project Eat Better, a campaign to help the needy eat better and healthier. The Food Bank has found it difficult to feed the needy with healthy, nutrient-rich food as most of the donations they receive are canned food, biscuits and white rice. Project Eat Better aims tor raise funds to help The Food Bank buy healthier food options, here are 3 simple ways in which you can help The Food Bank Singapore.
1. #eatsmartsg
Use the hashtag #eatsmartsg when you eat at Artisan Boulangerie Co (ABC). For every hashtag, ABC will donate $1 to The Food Bank to help them purchase healthier options for the needy such as fresh fruits, vegetables and meat.
A refrigeration truck will help The Food Bank store these perishable goods and also will help with the distribution of these fresh items to homes in need. This is especially important since many underprivileged people eat instant noodles three times a day, according to Miss Ng. Fresh food will help them eat better and prevent diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
2. Donate
Aside from monetary donations, you can also donate your unwanted food to The Food Bank as long as the products are not expired. Simply drop your donations off at the nearest Bank Box. To find out where the closest Bank Box is from you, visit this page.
The Food Bank also shared that there is normally a 30% spike in food waste during festive seasons. In 2015, The Food Bank collected 1,500 tubs of goodies during Hari Raya, 11,312 mooncakes during Mid-Autumn Festival and 4,200 tubs of CNY goodies during Chinese New Year. This year, instead of throwing out your excess goodies, consider donating them instead.
3. Volunteer
The Food Bank currently recruiting junior Foodbankers aged 5 to 12 to encourage volunteerism from young. They currently have 180 children registered under their juniors club but are still actively recruiting. Children can expect to tour the warehouse, learn about our cause, and make cards for the needy.
Adult volunteers are also encouraged to apply if they are free to volunteer during the weekends. Volunteers help to pack unwanted food into bundles and drop them off at the beneficiaries.
For more information, visit The Food Bank Singapore’s Website.
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