The Boys' Brigade Share-a-Gift 2023

THE BOYS’ BRIGADE SHARE-A-GIFT 2023 STRUGGLES WITH SHORTFALL IN DONATIONS, SEEKS PUBLIC DONATIONS TO SUPPORT RECORD NUMBER OF BENEFICIARIES WITH ONLY 16 DAYS REMAINING

The Boys’ Brigade Share-a-Gift (BBSG) 2023 embarked on its first wave of food hamper deliveries today, with a convoy of over 100 volunteer vehicles at the Car Flag-Off. BBSG aims to support a record number of 45,431 beneficiaries this year, marking the highest number of beneficiaries in the project’s 36-year history. Among these beneficiaries are 2,800 families under the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s (MSF) Community Link (ComLink) programme – a new group of beneficiaries that BBSG is expanding its support to for the first time since the inception of the national community service initiative.

However, BBSG has observed a shortfall in General Wishes donations and registrations for its food hamper deliveries compared to previous years at this project stage. Since the project’s launch 10 days ago, BBSG has achieved only 25% of its General Wishes targets and is falling behind by 306 out of 404 available registration slots for daily delivery sign-ups. In contrast, at the same stage of the project last year, General Wishes donations had reached 32%, and 31% of registration slots for food hamper deliveries were already occupied. With only 16 days left, BBSG urgently appeals for members of the public to come forward with their contributions, especially for food items such as halal canned food, beverages, and biscuits; and to volunteer to help with the delivery of food hampers to beneficiaries nationwide.

Mr Henry Tan, Chairman of Boys’ Brigade Share-a-Gift 2023, said, “BBSG 2023 is nearing its halfway mark, and we have achieved only 25% of our targets. With the highest number of beneficiaries in our history, we are tirelessly working to make BBSG a success and bring joy and nourishment to our beneficiaries. We recognise the magnitude of this endeavour, and we earnestly call upon the public to come forward and do their part for the community – whether through online or physical donations, or volunteering for our delivery drives. Despite the challenges ahead, we are thankful for the unwavering support we have received over the years from our sponsors, corporate partners, as well as our dedicated BB Boys and Officers. Let us unite, hand-in-hand, to bring hope to the underprivileged as we strive to reach out to 45,431 beneficiaries in time for Christmas“.

This year’s BBSG Car Flag-Off saw more than 300 volunteers who were present at Nanyang Polytechnic to personally deliver BBSG Food Hampers to the homes of around 680 beneficiaries in Ang Mo Kio. The Car Flag-Off was led by Mr Rom Lee, Chief Agency Officer of Prudential Singapore, together with Mr Poh Leong Berg, Honorary Vice-President, The Boys’ Brigade in Singapore.

Prudential Singapore is returning as the Presenting Sponsor for the 15th consecutive year. The insurer rallied close to 400 volunteers comprising employees and financial representatives from Prudential Singapore and Prudential Financial Advisers Singapore (PFA), and their communities, for BBSG 2023. This year, Prudential Singapore is donating $200,000 to fund healthier-choice food items for BBSG Food Hampers, which will go towards supporting close to 2,700 KidSTART families, and 1,500 ComCare and ComLink families.

The Car Flag-Off is a signature event of the annual BBSG project, as it marks the start of the BBSG Food Hamper deliveries during the festive season. These deliveries are distinctive of BBSG, offering the public unique opportunities to go beyond mere donations. Through BBSG’s delivery drives, volunteers engage with and personally connect with beneficiaries, making the BBSG experience uniquely impactful and meaningful. During the deliveries, each volunteer vehicle will reach out to five households, with each household receiving two BBSG Food Hampers.

Every BBSG Food Hamper contains essential grocery items, such as rice (5kg), biscuits, instant noodles, beverages, and a range of halal-certified canned foods, which are generously donated by the public through online donations and donations in-kind.

With the project off to a slow start, BBSG is urgently appealing for members of the public to come forward with their contributions of food items, which will be packed and delivered to the door-steps of 45,431 beneficiaries by the end of the year. Food items can be purchased and deposited at six regional BBSG collection stations in the following locations from now till 18 December 2023:

Ang Mo Kio Hub (Level B2, FairPrice Xtra)
Jurong Point (Level 3, FairPrice Xtra)
Kallang Wave Mall (Level 1, FairPrice Xtra)
NEX (Level 3, FairPrice Xtra)
Bedok Mall (Level B2, FairPrice Finest)
Thomson Plaza (Level 3, FairPrice Finest)

Food hampers valued at $20, $50, and $80 may also be donated online via FairPrice Online. Members of the public may also choose to purchase pre-curated BBSG Food Hampers, valued at $22 each, at Cheers and FairPrice Xpress convenience stores in Esso service stations.

BBSG also encourages the public to volunteer in the door-to-door delivery of BBSG Food Hampers from the Boys’ Brigade Headquarters at 1200 Sembawang Road, from 5 to 27 December (excluding eve of and on Public Holidays). There will be three sessions at 10am, 12pm, 2pm each day. All volunteers are advised to register online.

➡️ Related Read: Where to volunteer for kids in Singapore

Those who wish to make cash contributions online may do so via BB PayNow QR Codes displayed in 155 FairPrice stores and E-collaterals islandwide, FairPrice Online, AXS Stations, and BBSG Campaigns on the Boys Brigade page, from now till 31 December.

For more information, please call the BBSG hotline at 1800-277-4273 (1800-BB-SHARE) or visit its official website.

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