By Melissa Sim

SINGAPOREANS are known for loving their food, but the sad reality is that many in this country cannot afford to eat well. Several independent groups have stepped up to provide free meals for the unemployed, infirm and needy.

In partnership with religious groups, charities, companies and individual donors, these volunteers prepare and deliver hot meals islandwide.

They also pack and deliver basic rations of rice and canned food. One group even provides a free grocery shopping service.

1,400 families get food aid

ABOUT 1,400 needy families received packages of basic foodstuffs from Standard Chartered Bank's food drive last week.

The food packages, consisting of rice, cooking oil, sugar and canned food, were packed and delivered by 300 of the bank's employees who volunteered their time. The families which received the gift were identified by 12 voluntary welfare organisations.

The initiative, the largest so far by the bank, was an extension of its monthly community effort to help the needy.

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