A Comprehensive Review of Food Support Organisations, Programs & Access
Prepared based on the Singapore Food Support Directory | Charity Food Workgroup & Ministry of Social and Family Development
1. Overview of Food Support in Singapore
Singapore’s food assistance ecosystem is coordinated through a ‘Many Helping Hands’ approach, bringing together voluntary welfare organisations, religious groups, and government agencies under a common framework overseen by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and the Charity Food Workgroup. The Food Support Directory currently lists 24 active organisations offering diverse forms of food relief to individuals and families in need.
Food assistance is available in four primary forms: cooked meals delivered hot and ready to eat; food rations comprising dry goods and pantry staples; food vouchers redeemable at supermarkets; and fresh produce such as vegetables and fruits. Organisations operate across different frequencies — from daily meal delivery to monthly or even yearly distributions — and may serve specific dietary communities, including halal, non-halal, or vegetarian beneficiaries.
2. Government & Statutory Food Assistance Programs
2.1 ComCare (Ministry of Social and Family Development)
ComCare is the primary government financial assistance scheme providing support for food, transport, household bills, and medical needs. As of July 2024, the per capita household income benchmark for eligibility was raised to S$800 per month, broadening access to more lower-income families.
Key ComCare schemes include:
- Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance (SMTA): Temporary support (typically 3–9 months) for families facing unemployment, illness, or crisis. Covers daily living expenses including food.
- Long-Term Assistance (LTA): For persons permanently unable to work with little or no financial means; provides sustained monthly support.
- Interim Assistance: Bridging support while longer-term applications are processed.
Eligibility: Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents; household income ≤ S$1,900/month total or ≤ S$800 per capita (from July 2024).
How to apply: Visit a Social Service Office (SSO) in person (Mon–Fri 9am–6pm), apply online at supportgowhere.life.gov.sg, or call ComCare at 1800-222-0000 (toll-free).
2.2 Community Development Councils (CDCs)
Each of the five CDCs (Central, North East, South East, South West, North West) administers local assistance schemes including food vouchers and grocery top-ups. The CDC Vouchers scheme provides all Singaporean households with supermarket vouchers, with enhanced amounts for lower-income households. Contact your local CC or CDC office for more information.
2.3 SupportGoWhere Portal
The government’s one-stop portal at supportgowhere.life.gov.sg allows individuals to check eligibility and apply for multiple support schemes online. This includes ComCare, CDC vouchers, and referrals to food assistance organisations in the community.
2.4 Meals on Wheels (Eldercare & Home Meal Delivery)
For homebound elderly or persons with disabilities who cannot prepare their own meals, the Meals on Wheels programme coordinates subsidised daily meal deliveries through various social service agencies. Referrals are typically made through hospitals, polyclinics, or MSF’s Social Service Offices.
3. Directory of Food Support Organisations
The following table provides a consolidated reference of all 24 food support organisations, including contact details, food types on offer, delivery modes, and registration guidance. Beneficiaries are encouraged to contact only one organisation most suited to their needs.
| Organisation | Contact Details | Food Types & Frequency | Delivery Mode | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apex Club of Bukit Timah | [email protected] | apexbt.org | Food Rations, Fresh Produce (Halal & Non-Halal) | Collection & Door-step | Contact via email to register |
| Ascending Hope Community Services | [email protected] | ascendinghope.orgTel: 8218 3225 | Cooked Meals (1-3×/week), Food Rations Bi-monthly (Halal & Non-Halal) | Collection & Door-step | Call or email to register; provide household details |
| Blessed Grace Social Services | [email protected] | bgss.org.sg | Cooked Meals (Daily), Food Rations (Monthly), Food Vouchers (Yearly) – Halal & Non-Halal | Collection & Door-step | Email to enquire; referral from Social Service Office may be required |
| Cheng Hong Welfare Service Society | [email protected] | chenghongwelfare.orgTel: 9846 1182 | Cooked Meals (Daily), Food Rations Bi-monthly – Halal | Collection & Door-step | Call or email; provide NRIC and household income details |
| Club Rainbow (Singapore) | [email protected] | clubrainbow.org | Food Rations, Vouchers, Fresh Produce (1-2×/month) – Halal | Door-step & Collection | Children/youth with chronic illness; contact for referral process |
| Food From The Heart | [email protected] | foodfromtheheart.sgTel: 6280 4483 | Cooked Meals, Food Rations, Fresh Produce (Monthly) – Halal & Non-Halal | Collection | Register online or call; must meet income criteria |
| Free Food For All | [email protected] | freefood.org.sgTel: 6530 3661 | Food Rations (Monthly) – Halal only | Door-step | Call to register; targets Muslim beneficiaries |
| Hao Ren Hao Shi Limited | [email protected] | haorenhaoshi.org.sgTel: 9058 5898 | Food Rations (1-3×/week) – Halal, Non-Halal, Vegetarian | Collection & Door-step | Call or email to register; income assessment may be needed |
| Hopes in Meals | [email protected] | Cooked Meals (Daily), Food Rations (Weekly) – Halal, Non-Halal, Vegetarian | Door-step | Email to register; provide address and dietary requirements |
| KRSNA’S FREE MEALS | [email protected] | facebook.com/krsnasfreemealsTel: 9628 2045 | Cooked Meals (4-7×/week), Fresh Produce (1-3×/week) – Vegetarian only | Collection | Walk-in or contact; open to all regardless of religion |
| Loving Heart Multi-Service Centre | [email protected] | lovingheart.org.sgTel: 6897 4766 | Cooked Meals (Daily), Food Rations (Monthly) – Halal, Non-Halal, Vegetarian | Collection & Door-step | Call or visit; SSO referral welcomed but not mandatory |
| Loving Heart Multi-Service Centre (Jurong) | [email protected] | lovingheartjurong.org.sgTel: 6567 4166 | Food Rations (Monthly) – Halal, Non-Halal, Vegetarian | Collection | Call to enquire and register |
| Metropolitan YMCA Singapore | [email protected] | mymca.org.sgTel: 6746 3742 | Food Rations (Monthly) – Halal | Collection & Door-step | Contact via email or phone; MYMANNA programme |
| Mummy Yummy | [email protected]: 6246 3558 | Cooked Meals (Daily) – Vegetarian only | Door-step | Call to register; vegetarian daily meal delivery |
| Singapore Buddhist Welfare Services | [email protected] | sbws.org.sgTel: 8023 1328 | Cooked Meals (Daily), Food Rations (Monthly) – Vegetarian | Door-step | Email or call; Buddhist welfare focus |
| Singapore Red Cross Society | [email protected] | redcross.sgTel: 9639 8415 | Food Rations (Yearly), Food Vouchers (Monthly) – Halal & Non-Halal | Collection & Door-step | Contact casework team; social worker referral recommended |
| Willing Hearts | [email protected] | willinghearts.org.sgTel: 6476 0607 | Cooked Meals (Daily) – Halal, Non-Halal, Vegetarian | Collection & Door-step | Call or email; largest daily meal distributor in Singapore |
| Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) | [email protected] | ywca.org.sgTel: 6223 1227 | Cooked Meals (5×/week), Food Rations & Fresh Produce (Monthly) – Halal | Collection & Door-step | Email or call; YWCA Community Services Programme |
4. Food Types on Offer
4.1 Cooked Meals
Hot, ready-to-eat meals are provided by 14 organisations on a daily or near-daily basis. These include rice-based meals, soups, and other prepared dishes. Notable large-scale daily meal providers include Willing Hearts (serving thousands of beneficiaries daily), Loving Heart Multi-Service Centre, and YWCA. Delivery is available from several providers including Hopes in Meals, Mummy Yummy, and Singapore Buddhist Welfare Services.
4.2 Food Rations
Food ration packs typically contain dry goods such as rice, canned food, cooking oil, noodles, biscuits, and other pantry staples. These are distributed monthly or bi-monthly by most organisations. Ration packs are available from 18 of the 24 organisations and are suitable for individuals and families who can cook at home.
4.3 Food Vouchers
Food vouchers redeemable at NTUC FairPrice, Cold Storage, or participating outlets are offered by organisations such as En Community Services Society, Filos Community Services, and Singapore Red Cross. Vouchers offer beneficiaries autonomy in selecting food based on personal dietary preferences, including culturally specific items.
4.4 Fresh Produce
Fresh vegetables, fruits, and sometimes eggs are distributed by organisations including Apex Club of Bukit Timah, Club Rainbow, Food From The Heart, KRSNA’S Free Meals, and YWCA. Fresh produce distributions are typically weekly or monthly and supplement other forms of food support.
4.5 Dietary Accommodations
The directory serves Singapore’s multi-cultural population with dietary-specific provisions:
- Halal-certified food: Available from 16 organisations, including Free Food For All (exclusive halal), Cheng Hong Welfare Service Society, Metropolitan YMCA, and Realm of Tranquility.
- Non-halal food: Available from 12 organisations.
- Vegetarian food: Available from 8 organisations including KRSNA’S Free Meals (exclusively vegetarian), Mummy Yummy, Singapore Buddhist Welfare Services, and Loving Heart Multi-Service Centres.
5. Reaching Food Support Organisations by Public Transport
Most organisations with physical collection points are accessible via Singapore’s MRT and bus networks. Door-step delivery is available from 16 of the 24 organisations, eliminating the need to travel for vulnerable beneficiaries. The table below summarises public transport access for key collection points.
| Organisation | Public Transport Access |
|---|---|
| Apex Club of Bukit Timah | Bus 67, 75, 170 to Bukit Timah area; alight at Bukit Timah Shopping Centre |
| Ascending Hope Community Services | Various MRT & bus routes; contact organisation for exact address |
| Blessed Grace Social Services | Contact organisation for collection point; accessible by major MRT lines |
| Cheng Hong Welfare Service Society | Bus services along Geylang/Aljunied area; nearest MRT: Aljunied (EW9) |
| Club Rainbow (Singapore) | Accessible by major bus routes; contact for collection point |
| Food From The Heart | Multiple collection points island-wide; check website for nearest point |
| Hao Ren Hao Shi Limited | Contact for collection point address |
| KRSNA’S FREE MEALS | Check Facebook page for distribution point; accessible by MRT |
| Loving Heart Multi-Service Centre | Nearest MRT: Clementi (EW23); buses 61, 154, 184 stop nearby |
| Loving Heart Multi-Service Centre (Jurong) | Jurong East MRT (EW24/NS1); buses 98, 99, 105 in vicinity |
| Metropolitan YMCA Singapore | Multiple community centres; check website for nearest location |
| Singapore Red Cross Society | Red Cross HQ: 15 Penang Lane; nearest MRT: Dhoby Ghaut (CC1) |
| Willing Hearts | Collection: 56 Jalan Pari Burong; Bus 65, 100 nearby; Bedok MRT (EW5) |
| Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) | YWCA Fort Canning: 1 Fort Canning Road; nearest MRT: Clarke Quay (NE5) |
Note: For organisations not listed above, door-step delivery is the primary mode of food support and no travel is required. For all organisations, beneficiaries are advised to confirm collection point addresses and MRT/bus access directly with the organisation before visiting.
6. Registration & Application Process
Registration requirements vary by organisation but generally involve the following steps:
- Initial Contact: Call, email, or walk in to the organisation. Most welcome walk-ins during operating hours.
- Needs Assessment: Provide basic household information, including number of household members, dietary requirements, and income status. Some organisations may require an NRIC copy and recent payslips or CPF statements.
- Referral (where required): Certain organisations, particularly those linked to medical or social welfare networks (e.g., Singapore Red Cross, Club Rainbow), may require a referral from a Social Service Office, hospital, or community partner.
- Confirmation: Upon successful registration, the organisation will confirm collection schedules, delivery slots, or voucher issuance dates.
- Review & Renewal: Assistance is typically reviewed periodically (monthly to yearly depending on the programme) and beneficiaries may need to reconfirm their need for continued support.
For general social assistance, individuals may also approach their nearest Social Service Office (SSO) or call the ComCare hotline at 1800-222-0000 to be connected with appropriate food support resources.
7. Guidance for Beneficiaries
- Approach only one organisation at a time that best suits your needs (halal/non-halal/vegetarian, frequency, delivery mode) to avoid duplication of resources.
- Allow time for organisations to respond — food support is not always guaranteed immediately due to high demand.
- If you are unsure which organisation to approach, start with the SupportGoWhere portal (supportgowhere.life.gov.sg) or call ComCare at 1800-222-0000 for a guided assessment.
- For those without internet access, visit your nearest Community Club (CC) or Social Service Office (SSO) for in-person referrals.
- In a food emergency, call ComCare at 1800-222-0000 or visit the nearest Community Club for immediate interim assistance.