Singapore Food Assistance Programs

by | Jan 9, 2026 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

Overview

Singapore has an extensive network of food assistance programs serving low-income families, elderly individuals, and vulnerable communities. This guide reviews major programs, their offerings, and how to access them.

MAJOR FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAMS

1. Food From The Heart

Contact Information:

  • Address: 60 Kaki Bukit Place, Eunos Techpark #05-07, Singapore 415979
  • Phone: +65 6530 3424
  • Website: www.foodfromtheheart.sg
  • Volunteer Portal: Available on website

Programs Offered:

  • Bread Run Programme – Daily bread collection and distribution (800+ routes, 14,819 runs yearly)
  • Community Food Pack – Fresh fruit, eggs, bread, and monthly non-perishable food packs
  • School Goodie Bag – Monthly food rations for underprivileged school children
  • Market Place – Additional food distribution initiative

What’s Provided:

  • Rice, low GI vermicelli, instant noodles, cooking oil
  • Canned goods (sardines, baked beans, corn)
  • Fresh eggs, UHT milk, oatmeal, breakfast cereal
  • Fresh bread (daily through Bread Run from 100+ bakeries and hotels)
  • Biscuits, Milo, bread spreads
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables when available
  • Mushrooms, condensed skim milk

How to Register:

  • For Beneficiaries: Works with schools, Family Service Centres, grassroots organizations, senior activity centres, and charities. Contact through these agencies.
  • For Volunteers: Sign up through volunteer portal on website
  • Food Donations: Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm at office; or arrange delivery from FairPrice/RedMart; donation box available outside office 24/7

Beneficiaries Served: Close to 64,000 beneficiaries across Singapore (as of 2026)

Schedule: Monthly food packs; daily bread distribution year-round

2. The Food Bank Singapore (FoodBank)

Contact Information:

Programs Offered:

  • Food Support Programme – Monthly food rations to beneficiary organizations
  • Food Pantry 2.0 – 24/7 emergency food aid through automated vending machines
  • Bank Card Programme – Stored credit cards to redeem meals from F&B partners (relaunching in 2026)

What’s Provided:

  • Tailored food packages based on dietary and nutritional needs
  • 800,000+ kg of food rescued and distributed annually
  • Wide range of food items from supermarkets, manufacturers, and donors
  • Non-perishable items and cooked meals through vending machines
  • Household essentials (toiletries, detergent, tissues)

How to Register:

  • FoodBank operates B2B (business-to-business) and does NOT accept walk-in clients
  • Works through 360+ member beneficiary organizations (must be registered with National Council of Social Service)
  • Individuals: Contact partner organizations like Family Service Centres, social workers, or grassroots organizations
  • Organizations: Email [email protected] to become a member beneficiary

Schedule: Regular monthly distributions through community partners

Operating Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:30am-4:30pm (avoid 1:00pm-2:00pm)

3. Willing Hearts

Contact Information:

  • Main Kitchen: No. 1 Lorong J Telok Kurau, Singapore 425792
  • Additional Location: 11 Jalan Ubi Blk 6 #01-51, Kembangan-Chai Chee Community Hub, Singapore 409074
  • Phone: +65 6476 5822
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Website: www.willinghearts.org.sg

Programs Offered:

  • Daily Hot Meals – Soup kitchen operating 365 days/year
  • Meal Delivery – Distribution to 70+ locations island-wide

What’s Provided:

  • 11,000 freshly prepared hot meals daily
  • Rice with 2-3 dishes including protein, vegetables, curry/sauce
  • Asian flavors with consideration for various dietary needs and cultural preferences
  • Soup and porridge options

How to Register:

  • For Beneficiaries: Must apply through social worker or social agency
    • Contact Social Services Offices (SSO) COMCARE hotline: 1800 222 0000
    • Contact Agency of Integrated Care (AIC): 1800 6560 5050
    • Email supporting documents/referral report to [email protected]
  • For Volunteers: Family-friendly (children welcome with parental supervision), register through website

Beneficiaries Served: 10,000+ beneficiaries daily

Schedule: Daily meal preparation and distribution, 365 days per year

Note: One of Singapore’s largest and longest-running soup kitchens (nearly 20 years of operation)

Location: 10/10A Lorong 37 Geylang, Singapore 387907

What’s Provided:

  • Basic groceries and toiletries

How to Register: Contact Metropolitan YMCA

Schedule:

  • 1st Saturday: Home delivery for non-ambulant beneficiaries
  • 2nd & 4th Saturdays: Collection at centre

4. Free Food For All

Contact Information:

  • Address: 60 Kaki Bukit Place, Eunos Techpark #05-07, Singapore 415979
  • Phone: +65 6530 3424
  • Website: www.freefood.org.sg

Programs Offered:

  • KidsLuvIt! – Year-long program for underprivileged children
  • Interactive Engagement Series – Events for children
  • Various food distribution initiatives

What’s Provided:

  • Tasty and nutritious food to vulnerable individuals and families
  • Special programs for children to address food insecurity

How to Register:

  • Online volunteer form available on website
  • Contact through Family Service Centres and partner organizations

Schedule: Year-round programs with specific events throughout the year

Note: IPC-registered food charity founded November 4, 2014. Serves individuals regardless of race, religion, and nationality.

5. M.Y Manna (Metropolitan YMCA)

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must have valid Blue CHAS Card
  • Must live in HDB flats
  • Priority for large families and first-time recipients

What’s Provided:

  • All items are vegetarian
  • Essential grocery items

How to Register:

  • Application opens on the 1st of each month
  • Closes on the 15th of each month
  • Apply through their online form (apply for yourself only)
  • Successful applicants notified by email

Important:

  • Must reply to email within 3 days to confirm delivery
  • Verification required: NRIC and CHAS card name/address
  • Limited to ~10 packs per month

5. Catholic Welfare Services – Food Ration Assistance

Eligibility: Low-income, socially isolated individuals and families with monthly income below $650

What’s Provided:

  • Nutritious food of recipients’ preference
  • Home delivery service

Program Focus:

  • Befriending seniors and socially isolated individuals
  • Enhancing social connections

How to Register: Contact Catholic Welfare Services

Schedule: Monthly food aid

6. Nanyang Food Locker Programme

Location: Nanyang Community Club, Jurong West

Eligibility: Low-income residents with Blue CHAS card

What’s Provided:

  • Canned sardines, luncheon meat
  • Beehoon, instant noodles
  • Instant Milo drinks
  • Festive items (chocolate, mandarin oranges during festivals)

How It Works:

  • Digital locker system
  • 2 free food packs per month
  • Choose from 12 different lockers with varying contents
  • Saves up to $60 monthly on groceries

How to Register: Contact West Coast GRC MP’s office or Nanyang CCC

7. Value Meals @ South West

Location: South West District (80 vending machines at HDB blocks)

What’s Provided:

  • Value meals priced at $3 or less from vending machines
  • Credits disbursed through Taste Asia app

Eligibility: Vulnerable residents in South West District

Sponsor: Select Group ($600,000 worth of credits)

How to Register: Contact South West CDC

AREA-SPECIFIC PROGRAMS

Geylang Area

M.Y Manna – Monthly groceries and toiletries

  • Location: 10/10A Lorong 37 Geylang

Bukit Merah

Adopt a Block (St Andrew’s Cathedral)

  • Food packs, small gifts
  • Monthly visits (1st Saturday, 9:30am-12pm)
  • Long-term commitment (minimum 1 year)

Kembangan-Chai Chee

Filos Community Services – Waves of Blessing

Chinatown/Jalan Kukoh

Yong-En Care Centre

  • PantryPlenish: Monthly dry food rations
  • BreadWalk: Fortnightly breakfast items
  • FreshFood: Fresh chicken, fish, fruits, vegetables

Tanjong Rhu

St Hilda’s Community Services – Friends @ St Hilda’s Link

  • Food drops with basic essentials (rice, oil, canned food)
  • Home visits for elderly and homebound residents

Woodlands

CONNECT@806

  • Partnership with FoodBank Singapore
  • Every 1st Saturday of the month
  • Pop-up market format
  • Contact: [email protected] or call 6248 5566

Queenstown/Commonwealth/Tampines

Bless X Love (Hope Centre Singapore)

  • Essential food items for rental flat residents
  • Befriending and referral services

Redhill/Kim Tian

Apex Club Redhill Food Distribution

  • Weekly distribution (longest running since 1988)
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables for balanced diet
  • Serves ~200 elderly residents

Kampong Glam

Love Connect Market

  • Location: Jalan Besar Community Centre, 69 Jellicoe Road
  • Every Saturday
  • Fresh vegetables, fruits, eggs
  • Also clothes and kids items

Sengkang & Islandwide

Food Rescue Sengkang (FRSK)

  • Address: Thanggam Hub, 40 Fernvale Road, Singapore 797699
  • Phone: +65 8900 7065
  • Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
  • Website: www.foodrescuesk.com
  • Main Distribution: Every Saturday at headquarters
  • What’s Provided:
    • 15,000-50,000 kg of rescued food weekly
    • Fresh vegetables and fruits
    • Bread and other items
    • Imperfect but edible produce (cosmetic defects, overstocking)
  • Satellite Points: Sembawang West, Ang Mo Kio, Serangoon North, Marymount, Tampines, Yuhua, and other locations islandwide
  • How It Works: Open to all Singapore residents (not limited to Sengkang). Serves 150+ regular collectors plus shelters, soup kitchens, dormitories, and community fridges.
  • Note: Non-profit initiative founded May 2019 by Derek Ong and Janet Lee. Focuses on reducing food waste while helping families save on grocery bills.

Whampoa

Ascending Hope – We Care and Share

  • Tuesdays: 2:30pm-5pm
  • Bread, eggs, fresh fruits, vegetables
  • Location: Whampoa Community Centre

SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS

For Elderly

Singapore Buddhist Welfare Services – Public Assistance Programme

  • Monthly financial assistance and food rations
  • Home visits every 6 months
  • Serves elderly and families regardless of race or religion

Xin Yuan Community Care – Heart for Seniors

  • Food distributions with therapeutic services
  • Health check-ups and social activities
  • For low-income seniors with chronic conditions

Nam Hong Welfare Service Society – Caring Heart Program

  • Ration and home visits
  • Afterlife care services
  • Annual festive distributions

The Saturday Movement

  • Serves 500+ needy elderly
  • 4,000 bread, fruit, and meals monthly
  • Free lunch every Saturday
  • Locations: Multiple low-income areas

For Families with Children

School Goodie Bag (Food From The Heart)

  • Monthly food rations for underprivileged school students
  • Healthier food options for developing minds
  • Balanced diet with staples, vegetables, proteins

YWCA – Sustenance for Families

  • Eligibility: Families with monthly income below $800
  • Dry rations: Rice, cooking oil, canned food, diapers, milk powder
  • Fresh rations: Eggs and vegetables
  • Once monthly

PPH Community Services Centre – Grocery Distribution

  • Twice monthly delivery
  • Fresh groceries and essential items
  • Serves 80+ households
  • Volunteer befriending included

For Hindu Families

Gift From The Heart (Hindu Endowments Board)

  • Food rations for Hindu families in need
  • Distributed through HEB-Ashram
  • Beneficiaries identified through Hindu temples

For Muslim Families

Jamiyah Welfare Department – Food Ration Distribution

  • FoodBank collects, sorts, stores, and distributes donated food
  • Serves disabled, widows, orphans, families of drug detainees

Ramadan On Wheels (4PM/MYLA)

  • Eligibility: Monthly income below $650
  • Annual program during Ramadan month
  • Food ration delivery to beneficiaries
  • Youth empowerment initiative

QUARTERLY/FESTIVE PROGRAMS

North West CDC – Service Weeks

  • Quarterly food assistance
  • For residents in public rental flats
  • Pop-up Market format
  • Contact: [email protected] or 6248 5566

SHG – Food Ration/Diaper/Milk Powder Programme

  • Distribution in March, June, September, December
  • Food, vegetables, diapers, milk powder

Filos Community Services – Blessing Projects

  • Groceries and festive goodies during festive seasons
  • For needy families

BREAD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAMS

Bread With Love (Hope Centre Singapore)

  • Monthly distributions at various Singapore locations
  • Social and psycho-emotional support
  • Befriending services

Bread Run (Food From The Heart)

  • Daily bread collection from 100+ bakeries and hotels
  • 800+ regular routes
  • 14,819 bread runs yearly
  • Volunteer opportunities available

ADDITIONAL KEY PROGRAMS

FairPrice Foundation – Neighbourhood Food Share

Contact: Contact through local Residents’ Committees (RC) or Community Centres listed below

Locations with Weekly Distribution:

  • Pasir Ris: Pasir Ris CC & Riverlife Community Services, 528C Multi-purpose Hall, Pasir Ris Street 51, S513528
  • Chai Chee: Ping An RC, Blk 61 Chai Chee Road, S460061
  • Tampines:
    • Tampines Changkat RC, Blk 117 Tampines St 11, S521117
    • Blk 492 Tampines Street 45, S520492
    • Blk 358 Tampines St 33, S520358
  • Jurong East: Yuhua CC, Blk 223A Jurong East St 21, S601223 AND Blk 260 Jurong East St 24, S600260

What’s Provided:

  • Rescued imperfect but edible fruits and vegetables from FairPrice stores
  • Weekly fresh produce distributions
  • Can save families up to $300 monthly in food expenses

How to Register:

  • Join as beneficiary by contacting your local RC or Community Centre
  • Volunteer opportunities available through RCs listed above

Schedule: Weekly distributions at various times depending on location

Note: Community engagement program focused on reducing food waste while making fresh produce accessible to lower-income groups and elderly residents.

Fridge Restock Community SG

Contact: Available through website www.frc.sg

Program: Community Fridge Restocking

What’s Provided:

  • Fresh vegetables and fruits to 14 community fridges across Singapore
  • Rescued produce from Pasir Panjang Wholesale Centre

Locations: 10+ community fridges including:

  • Blk 441 Tampines Street 43
  • Blk 508B Yishun Avenue 4
  • Other locations across Singapore

Volunteer Schedule:

  • Every Tuesday & Wednesday, 9am-1pm
  • Roles include: Mission Rescuers, Drivers, Distributors

How It Works:

  • Open community fridges where residents can collect fresh produce
  • 50+ volunteers sharing rescue, delivery, and distribution duties
  • Free access for residents at void deck locations

Note: Founded by Daniel Yap in 2018, formalized as independent organization during COVID-19 pandemic.

SG Food Rescue

Programs:

  • Veggie Rescue: Collecting unsellable but edible produce from shopkeepers/vendors
  • Fridge Restock: Restocking community fridges in Yishun, Tampines, Queenstown
  • Expired Food Rescue: Ad-hoc collection of expired but still edible food
  • F&B Rescue: Collecting unsold food from caterers and food businesses

What’s Provided:

  • Fresh vegetables and fruits
  • Various food items from F&B businesses
  • Educational outreach on food waste and expiry dates

How It Works:

  • Distribution to soup kitchens and charity organizations
  • Community fridge restocking
  • Ad-hoc based on rescue calls

Most programs require:

  1. Direct Application: Contact the organization directly
  2. Referral: Through Family Service Centres, hospitals, grassroots organizations, social workers
  3. Eligibility Assessment: Home visits to verify financial situation
  4. Documentation: NRIC, proof of residence, income documents, CHAS card (for some programs)

Common Eligibility Criteria:

  • Low-income households (typically below $650-$900/month)
  • Living in HDB flats (especially rental flats)
  • Blue CHAS card holders
  • Socially isolated elderly
  • Families with financial difficulties

HOW TO GET HELP

If You Need Food Assistance:

  1. For Structured Programs (Monthly Food Packs):
    • Contact your nearest Family Service Centre (FSC)
    • Call SSO COMCARE Hotline: 1800 222 0000
    • Call Agency of Integrated Care (AIC): 1800 6560 5050
    • They can assess your needs and refer you to appropriate programs
  2. For Daily Hot Meals:
    • Willing Hearts: Apply through social worker or contact 1800 222 0000 / 1800 6560 5050
    • Email supporting documents to [email protected]
  3. For Weekly Fresh Produce (No Income Requirements):
    • Food Rescue Sengkang: Visit Thanggam Hub every Saturday or call +65 8900 7065
    • Community Fridges: Check your neighborhood void deck for Fridge Restock Community SG locations
    • FairPrice Neighbourhood Food Share: Contact your local Community Centre or RC
    • Love Connect Market: Visit Jalan Besar CC every Saturday
  4. For Emergency Food Aid (24/7):
    • FoodBank Food Pantry 2.0: Vending machines at various locations (need credit card from partner agency)
  5. Area-Specific Programs: See area listings above and contact your local Community Centre
  6. Online Resources:
    • FoodConnect Directory: foodconnect.gov.sg/directory
    • SupportGoWhere: Check government support schemes and benefits

For Volunteers:

Most organizations welcome volunteers for:

  • Food packing: Food From The Heart, FoodBank Singapore
  • Delivery (Bread Runners): Food From The Heart
  • Meal preparation: Willing Hearts (family-friendly)
  • Befriending visits: Various programs
  • Distribution events: Most organizations
  • Food rescue missions: Food Rescue Sengkang, Fridge Restock Community SG

How to Volunteer:

KEY CONTACTS – QUICK REFERENCE

Major Organizations

Government Hotlines

  • COMCARE (Social Services): 1800 222 0000
  • Agency of Integrated Care (AIC): 1800 6560 5050

CDC Hotlines

  • North West CDC: [email protected] | +65 6248 5566
  • South West CDC: Contact for Value Meals program
  • North East CDC: Contact for area-specific programs

Online Resources

  • FoodConnect Directory: foodconnect.gov.sg/directory
  • SupportGoWhere: For eligibility checker and consolidated benefits
  • GovBenefits: Government support schemes portal

NOTES

Food Security Statistics

According to research by Singapore Management University’s Lien Centre for Social Innovation, 10.4% of surveyed households faced food insecurity at least once within a 12-month period in 2020. Even by 2022, 45.8% of respondents reported no change in their situation, and 10.2% found circumstances worsening.

Important Features

  • Most programs operate monthly or weekly
  • Many include home delivery for elderly/non-ambulant beneficiaries
  • Befriending and social support often accompany food distribution
  • Programs serve beneficiaries regardless of race or religion (with some specialized programs for specific communities)
  • Fresh produce programs aim to promote healthier eating
  • Many programs funded by donations and corporate partnerships
  • Food From The Heart serves close to 64,000 beneficiaries across Singapore with support from over 10,000 volunteers
  • FoodBank Singapore rescues over 800,000 kilograms of food annually and serves 360 member beneficiaries including social service agencies
  • Willing Hearts prepares around 5,000-11,000 meals daily and distributes to over 70 locations island-wide

Food Rescue Impact

  • Food Rescue Sengkang distributes 15,000-50,000 kg (20-30 tonnes) of rescued food weekly
  • FairPrice Neighbourhood Food Share can help families save up to $300 monthly in food expenses
  • Fridge Restock Community SG contributes fresh supplies to 14 community fridges with 50+ volunteers

This directory was compiled from program information as of January 2026. Contact individual organizations for the most current details and application procedures.