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Published: 5 August 2025, Tuesday
Singapore turns 60 this year, a meaningful milestone that invites us not only to celebrate our progress but to reflect on the society that we are building. It is a moment to honour our journey, rooted in the shared values of multiculturalism, boldness, resilience, and openness that have guided us through decades of change and challenge.
As SG60 rallies Singaporeans to build our future together, there is a renewed call to connect, contribute, and care. One of the most meaningful ways to do that is by supporting those who are in need, because building our future Singapore starts with how we care for our communities today.
It's a common misconception that developed countries like Singapore are free from poverty. However, a 2024 study by Felix Teo from the Singapore University of Technology and Design revealed that 28% of Singaporeans experience either absolute or relative poverty. Out of which, 3% live in absolute poverty, struggling to meet basic living standards.
Now more than ever, caring for one another must remain a central part of our social fabric. Whether it is lending a hand to someone in need or supporting causes that strengthen community bonds, each action shapes a more compassionate and united Singapore. This is a chance to be bolder and kinder. To show up for others not just in spirit, but in action, to reaffirm that the future we build depends on the compassion we choose to extend now.
As we mark 60 years of independence, we are reminded that a nation is not just built by infrastructure or policy; instead, it is shaped by people who choose to show up for one another. As a matter of fact, across Singapore, individuals from all walks of life are giving back in ways that are deeply personal, creative, and rooted in care.
Some lend their time and talents to bring joy to overlooked communities while others show up in quiet, consistent ways. Whether it is a simple act of kindness like giving out free meals or an ongoing commitment like organising programmes that are designed to bring joy and meaning to all, these gestures form the invisible threads that hold our society together.
What ties all these efforts together is a shared sense of purpose: a belief that everyone deserves to feel included, supported, and valued. These stories don't just reflect goodwill, they reflect who we are when we lean into compassion and community.
SG60 invites all of us to be a part of this spirit. It is a moment to pause and ask ourselves how we might give back, not just for celebration's sake, but because caring for one another is what keeps Singapore strong. When we take the time to care, we do not just uplift others, we carry the nation forward, together.
Reflecting on six decades of resilience and unity, we are proud to contribute to SG60's pillar of care by doing what we have always believed in: nourishing lives through meaningful action. As a homegrown, independent food charity in Singapore, we hold SG60 close to our hearts. For the last 22 years, Food from the Heart has been dedicated to alleviating food insecurity through efficient food distribution efforts across the island.
What began in 2003 has now grown into a nationwide effort that channels food resources to individuals and families in need. Today, our programmes continue to uphold that same commitment, to ensure that everyone has equal access to nutritious food.
In line with SG60's call to "care for others", we remain grounded in our mission. To share hope and nourish lives, supporting those in need.
Every day, our work is driven by a single goal: to provide consistent food support to the individuals and families who face food insecurity. Not just once but for as long as they need support. This means more than providing a meal, it means creating a stable source of nourishment for the less-fortunate, easing their financial burdens to focus on other pressing concerns such as medical bills and education.
Through our food distribution programmes, like our Community Food Pack and School Goodie Bag programmes, we deliver food packs consisting of essential non-perishables like rice, cooking oil, and canned food to those in need across Singapore. The food we provide is carefully selected to help meet daily needs nutritiously.
But our work does not stop at delivery. Behind each food pack is a system of coordination, logistics, and care. As a charity that does not receive regular government funding, we rely on the generosity of donors and volunteers to keep these operations running. Every dollar donated and minute spent volunteering supports our system designed to serve reliably, consistently and sustainably.
As we honour SG60 by caring for those around us, Food from the Heart offers tangible ways for Singaporeans to connect with one another and contribute meaningfully to the community. At the heart of our mission is the belief that collective effort, no matter how big or small, can make a lasting impact.
Our programmes created shared spaces for action. Bread Run, for instance, brings together donors, volunteers, and partners to rescue unsold bread and deliver it safely to welfare homes and our various bread distribution points. Our Community Shop is fully run by our volunteers during its operational hours and serves as an avenue for community building for our beneficiaries. Each Shop is also furnished with a 24/7 food drop, for donors to drop off food donations at any time of the day. This establishes an integrated ecosystem, connecting donors, sponsors, volunteers, and beneficiaries. Finally, through Market Place, we extend the life of near-expiry or packaging-damaged food by collecting it from retailers and channeling it to welfare homes.
These programmes are made possible by a dedicated community of sponsors, donors, and volunteers who choose to stand with us. Every food pack distributed, every loaf of bread delivered, and every helping hand extended is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve together. It’s a collective story of a nation stepping forward, together.
Singapore's 60th anniversary is an invitation to dream, act, and build a future shaped by care and community. Whether you have an idea to change, a platform to connect people, or simply a desire to do something meaningful, now is the time to bring that vision to life.
If you have ever thought of starting a food donation drive or helping children in need, your contribution could spark real impact. At Food from the Heart, we welcome individuals and groups who want to be part of this change, to transform good intentions into tangible support.
Let us carry forward the spirit of togetherness that SG60 stands for. Join us in writing the next chapter of Singapore's story, one where no one is left behind and where every act of care brings us closer together.
