The holiday season’s all about spending time with loved ones, endless feasting, and gifting. But throughout all the festivities, we shouldn’t forget about the less fortunate who might be missing out.
Great news if you’re itching to do your part to extend a helping hand, Giving Week is back for from 1st – 7th December 2019. Initiated by the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC), the movement comprises donation drives, bazaars, and gifting under The Good Life and The Good Hubs initiatives that’ll let you easily give back to society all over Singapore.
Find out how you can participate:
The next time you’re doing your grocery run at FairPrice, know that you can help someone less fortunate to stock up their pantry too. And you can do it all with a click of a button.
Just head to their site and take your pick from a list of over 70 charities. These include charities like AWARE, an organisation which supports gender equality, or Babes Pregnancy Crisis Support.
From there, you can make a donation based on the necessities that each organisation has listed out. FairPrice will then help to purchase and deliver items such as rice, milk powder and adult diapers to each respective charity.
You’ll also get a 20% discount voucher for Zalora with every donation you make, so you can use it for your Christmas gift shopping too.
Campaign period: 1st – 31st December 2019
Website
Image credit: @asdsingapore
It’s not just humans who are needy, there are also animals that require our help. Animal lovers can head to any nearby Pet Lovers Centre to support their pet food drive.
Whether you’re purchasing items for your own furkid, or simply browsing the store, just head to the cashier to make your contribution.
Every dollar you donate will go toward supplying pet food for animal shelters such as the Cat Welfare Society and Action for Singapore Dogs. And in return, these shelters will be able to channel more resources toward their medical budget and monthly grooming sessions.
Campaign period: 29th November – 15th December 2019
Address: Full list of outlets here.
Parents will be more than familiar with Motherswork, a chain of stores that has everything related to infant care, from clothing and toys to necessities like strollers and diapers. During this year-end season, you could do a little more than just browsing their shelves to replenish your baby’s needs.
Their stores are featuring Giving Trees decked with cards that relay children’s wishes. You can pick one and purchase a present for a child – just leave it with the store and they’ll send it to them. This drive is supported by HSCA Community Services whose main focus is to improve the quality of life for various causes, such as abuse survivors, and single parents.
Campaign period: Now till 16th December 2019
Address: Full list of outlets here.
When we’re looking for cheap secondhand goodies, or a platform to sell items, most of us make a beeline for Carousell. Take this opportunity to give away your pre-loved items, or donate brand new goods to over 20 charities. These include organisations like Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore and Children’s Cancer Foundation.
Head to the Carousell website and look out for wishlist items each organisation has listed. Just drop them an enquiry before bringing your goodies over to the respective organisation. If you have other items you’d like to donate, simply list it on Carousell with the hashtag #Blessings.
Campaign period: Now till 31st December 2019
Website
How to claim and access your Shopee coins
Image adapted from: Shopee
Calling all online shopaholics! We’ve found a way for you to justify your frequently checked out carts. Just donate your Shopee coins to a charity of your choice.
Shopee has partnered with organisations such as Food from the Heart, Habitat for Humanity, and Children’s Wishing Well for shoppers to easily extend a helping hand while sussing out the best deals.
The best part is, you won’t just be a giver here. You’ll stand a chance to win a surprise Christmas gift from Shopee with every donation.
Campaign period: Now till 15th December 2019
Website
d’Good Café’s Takashimaya outlet is London-themed
If you’ve been to d’Good Café, you’d know that they have an extensive menu of Western dishes that include pastas, baked mains and coffee.
The next time you’re at one of their outlets, look out for Christmas trees for a chance to make a donation. They’re decorated with cards that have wishes of kids from low-income or single-parent families who are under the care of TOUCH Young Arrows.
You can purchase a gift of their choice and the cafe will present them to these children. Each gift is within a $30 price range, so it doesn’t cost too much to spread the festive spirit.
Campaign period: Now till 31st December 2019
Address: Full list of outlets here.
Website
Image credit: @ironsupperclub
Iron Supper Club is known for serving a variety of Asian fusion dishes based on their popular Japanese donburi. As part of Giving Week 2019, they’ll be featuring a special set menu ($28) where all proceeds will go to St Andrew’s Autism Centre (SAAC).
The 4-course menu includes a salad and soup, followed by a choice between a Pan Seared Norwegian Salmon, Grilled Australian Ribeye Beef Steak, and Healthy Vegetarian Spaghetti. End it on a sweet note with an artisanal dessert.
Image credit: @ironsupperclub
Campaign period: 1st – 7th December 2019
Address: 9 Jalan Wangi, Singapore 349354
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11AM-3PM & 5.30PM-10PM | Sat-Sun 11.30AM-10PM
Website
Image credit: @edithpatisserie
No celebration is complete without cake. So if you’re looking for a sweet finish to your festive meal, opt for the home-baked desserts from Edith Patisserie. Their repertoire comprises everything from brownies and cookies, to decadent gula melaka log cakes and bubble tea tarts.
For each purchase of any of their flourless cakes, $10 will be donated to support Samaritans of Singapore (SOS). The organisation provides emotional support to those who are affected or thinking about suicide.
Campaign period: now till 7th December 2019
Address: 772 North Bridge Rd, Singapore 198740
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10AM-5PM (Closed Monday)
Telephone: 6443 7150
Website
With these donation drives and events that make it incredibly easy to give to beneficiaries, you can do your part to spread the festive spirit. Initiated by National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC), Giving Week 2019 has a slew of participating merchants that’ll help move this along.
The movement and Giving.sg are part of the City of Good vision by NVPC. Giving Week unites communities, businesses, and nonprofits to make the act of giving a way of life.
So check out these events happening from now to 7th December 2019 and beyond, and remember that every small act of kindness can snowball to make a huge difference in someone’s life!
This post was brought to you by National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC).
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