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April 3, 2009
Perks for needy residents
Tonic and Flyer tickets among 'extra' aid handed out by community groups
By Ang Yiying
Volunteers from Chong Pang CCC distributing vegetables to needy residents in the area. Some groups give aid that goes beyond bread-and-buter items. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO
GRASSROOTS organisations are going the extra mile to help needy residents, giving aid which tackles more than just bread-and-butter issues.
Besides the usual supermarket and transport vouchers, the groups are also distributing items such as fresh vegetables, vouchers for hot meals and even tickets to attractions.
Citizens' consultative committees (CCCs), umbrella bodies for grassroots groups within constituencies, are ramping up their aid as 10 per cent to 58 per cent more people are seeking help this year, compared to the final quarter of last year, said at least six CCCs.
Keeping people fed is not the only aim that these groups have.
For instance, one CCC has hit upon the idea of providing Singapore Flyer tickets to low-income families with children who live in one- or two room rental flats.
Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng CCC chairman David Ong said the group wanted to help families bond during hard times: 'In times of recession, such outings can be a luxury for many poor families.
'They struggle with just paying for the essentials and even their utilities bills. It will put some stress on the family unit and we want to give them good reasons to get together for a day out.'
It is also one of the CCCs making sure that the poor and elderly in the community do not go without meals. It has tied up with food centres and coffee shops in the area to accept vouchers issued by the grassroots group.
In a similar scheme, Tanglin-Cairnhill CCC has been giving 120 recipients $36 worth of meal vouchers each every month since last September. These can be used at 80 stalls and three coffee shops in the area.
April 3, 2009
Perks for needy residents
Tonic and Flyer tickets among 'extra' aid handed out by community groups
By Ang Yiying
Volunteers from Chong Pang CCC distributing vegetables to needy residents in the area. Some groups give aid that goes beyond bread-and-buter items. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO
GRASSROOTS organisations are going the extra mile to help needy residents, giving aid which tackles more than just bread-and-butter issues.
Besides the usual supermarket and transport vouchers, the groups are also distributing items such as fresh vegetables, vouchers for hot meals and even tickets to attractions.
Citizens' consultative committees (CCCs), umbrella bodies for grassroots groups within constituencies, are ramping up their aid as 10 per cent to 58 per cent more people are seeking help this year, compared to the final quarter of last year, said at least six CCCs.
Keeping people fed is not the only aim that these groups have.
For instance, one CCC has hit upon the idea of providing Singapore Flyer tickets to low-income families with children who live in one- or two room rental flats.
Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng CCC chairman David Ong said the group wanted to help families bond during hard times: 'In times of recession, such outings can be a luxury for many poor families.
'They struggle with just paying for the essentials and even their utilities bills. It will put some stress on the family unit and we want to give them good reasons to get together for a day out.'
It is also one of the CCCs making sure that the poor and elderly in the community do not go without meals. It has tied up with food centres and coffee shops in the area to accept vouchers issued by the grassroots group.
In a similar scheme, Tanglin-Cairnhill CCC has been giving 120 recipients $36 worth of meal vouchers each every month since last September. These can be used at 80 stalls and three coffee shops in the area.
