The plaque was unveiled by Mr. Robin C. Lee, Chief Executive Officer of Food From The Heart, and Mr Lam Chee Weng, Chief Executive Officer of Singapore Pools, together with Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for Education and MP for West Coast–Jurong West GRC.
Singapore Pools and Tote Board have partnered with Food From The Heart (FFTH) to support the continued operations of its Community Shop @ Boon Lay, helping families manage daily living expenses while accessing nutritious food with greater choice and dignity.
To mark the partnership, a plaque was unveiled by Mr Robin C. Lee, Chief Executive Officer of Food From The Heart, and Mr Lam Chee Weng, Chief Executive Officer of Singapore Pools, together with Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for Education and MP for West Coast–Jurong West Mr Desmond Lee has supported FFTH's charity drive since its first edition in 2022, alongside grassroots volunteers and residents in the community.
Supporting Families Through Greater Choice
From August 2026, Singapore Pools and Tote Board will contribute $150,000 over 18 months towards food supplies at Community Shop @ Boon Lay, which currently serves more than 1,300 lower-income households in the area.
Opened in March 2021, Community Shop @ Boon Lay is one of six Community Shops operated by FFTH across Singapore. Unlike traditional food distribution models, the programme allows beneficiaries to select the items they need in a mini-mart setting, rather than receiving pre-packed food bundles.
A variety of essential food items, including staples and fresh produce, are available for households to choose from
Residents selecting food items and checking out at the Community Shop
Each beneficiary household can select up to 14 food items every month, including staples, fresh produce and nutritious food options. This gives families greater flexibility to choose food that suits their household needs, dietary preferences and nutritional requirements, while easing some of their everyday expenses.
Building a More Caring Community
Today, FFTH supports more than 4,500 households every month through its six Community Shops in Mountbatten, Boon Lay, Lengkok Bahru, Punggol, Chong Pang and Bedok South.
FFTH also addresses food insecurity through its four other programmes – Bread Run, Community Food Pack, School Goodie Bag and Market Place. In 2025, the homegrown charity supported more than 70,000 individuals with over $9.7 million worth of food, made possible through the contributions of volunteers, donors and community partners.
Mr Lam Chee Weng, Chief Executive Officer of Singapore Pools, and Mr Desmond Lee, MP for West Coast–Jurong West GRC, assisting a resident at the Community Shop @ Boon Lay
Mr Lam Chee Weng, Chief Executive Officer of Singapore Pools, shared: "Singapore Pools, together with Tote Board, is committed to supporting programmes that make a positive difference in the community. We are pleased to partner with Food from the Heart to support the Community Shop @ Boon Lay, which serves as essential support for many families in the neighbourhood. This partnership reflects our belief in building a 'We-First' society, where looking out for one another is at the heart of who we are as a nation. We hope to contribute to a stronger and more caring community while encouraging greater collective support for those in need."
Coming Together to Give Back
Singapore Pools volunteers sorting and packing donated food items at Food From The Heart's National Day Food Donation Drive
The partnership builds on a broader spirit of collective action that was evident at FFTH's National Day Food Donation Drive.
As Singapore celebrated its 61st year of independence, donors contributed essential groceries, while community partners and volunteers came together to sort and prepare the donations for distribution to families facing food insecurity.
Singapore Pools volunteers is glad to be part of this collective movment. Together, these efforts reflect the kampung spirit that continues to bring communities together – with individuals, organisations and volunteers each playing a role in building a more caring and inclusive Singapore.