ComChest giving out 8,100 festive bags to seniors, needy families ahead of CNY

Ahead of Chinese New Year on Feb 1, the Community Chest will distribute more than 8,100 festive bags to seniors and families in need.

- Justin Ong Political Correspondent

More than 1,150 volunteers helped to pack the “fu dai” (fortune bags in Mandarin) over the past three days. Each bag holds food and essential household items.

Into its ninth year, the initiative – co-organised with volunteer group Heartwarmers – was scaled up to distribute nearly 30 per cent more festive bags compared with the 6,700 last year.

“We recognise that while the wider community is adapting to live with Covid-19 in our midst, the struggle to cope amid uncertain times may prove harder for the groups of Singaporeans in need,” said Mr Phillip Tan, chairman of the Community Chest – the fundraising arm of the National Council of Social Service, which coordinates social service agencies in Singapore.