After relaunching its fund raising efforts last Tuesday, 7 April, the Community Foundation of Singapore is continuing to appeal for donations for the Sayang Sayang Fund to support community efforts during the circuit breaker period. It is aiming to raise $3 million by the end of April 2020.
Founded in 2008 to encourage and enable philanthropy in Singapore, the Community Foundation of Singapore is a registered charity with Institution of a Public Character status. it collaborates with partners to identify programmes that support diverse communities.
Supporting Eligible Primary School Students Meals
One of the efforts which the Sayang Sayang Fund has embarked upon during the circuit breaker period is Recess@Home. It has partnered with the Ministry of Education (MOE) to provide support for primary school students who are on MOE’s Financial Assistance Scheme.
Under an enhanced School Meal Subsidies scheme, eligible primary school students will receive $60 each from MOE for the purchase of food and essential groceries during the circuit breaker period. The Sayang Sayang Fund has committed a further $500,000 to provide eligible students with an additional $20 each, bringing the total to $80 over four weeks.
Apart from this partnership with MOE, Recess@Home will also provide support to other needy students including those with special needs and in tertiary institutions.
SeniorOK@Home
The Sayang Sayang Fund will also be used for a new initiative, SeniorsOK@Home.
This initiative provides immediate and urgent support to seniors stranded at home and in need of food, necessities and medical supplies. It will also leverage digital solutions, such as video conferencing, to deliver essential services for seniors at home and provide online recreational activities to minimise social isolation.
In addition, it will fund precautionary measures such as disinfection and sanitisation of premises to maintain quality of care for charities that are providing essential community services to seniors during the circuit breaker period.
The SeniorOK@Home initiative is partnership with the Agency for Integrated Care and healthcare-based charities.
Sayang Sayang Fund
Providing an update on fund raising efforts thus far, Ms Catherine Loh, Chief Executive Officer of the Community Foundation of Singapore, said, “In less than one week, thanks to donors from all walks of life, we have received $450,000 in donations. Of this, more than $100,000 was raised through online platforms like Giving.sg. In addition, CFS has received pledges of about $900,000. It is heart-warming that during this difficult time, Singaporeans continue to be generous and stand united to help those who are needy amongst us.”
Other programmes that the Fund hopes to support include providing immediate and short-term support for individuals and families from marginalised communities adversely affected by the COVID-19 situation.
Find out more about the Community Foundation of Singapore here and find out how to contribute to the Sayang Sayang Fund here.
READ: Beneficiaries that You Can Support During the COVID-19 Period
