#HOMEFORALL
Photograph: #HOMEFORALL
Photograph: #HOMEFORALL

Local charities that need your donations right now

While most of the community is affected, these charities need more help from us

Delfina Utomo
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The evolving pandemic has affected many people and communities in Singapore. Donations across all charities have dropped and there are also fewer volunteers due to strict restrictions on social distancing. The circuit breaker might have ended but it doesn't mean that life goes back to normal. While we all play our part in social responsibility, it's also important to stand in solidarity with the community – providing help to those who need it most, especially at the fringes of our society. If you don't feel comfortable volunteering, here's how you can do your part and donate if you have the means.

RECOMMENDED: 6 ways to help your community right now and how you can support local restaurants and bars

#HOMEFORALL Migrants

Our migrant workers need all the support they can get from the wider community. #HOMEFORALL Migrants is an initiative by the Collective of Migrant Efforts (COME), a partnership between NGOs and government agencies. The collective works together to provide rations to migrant workers – these include meals, hygiene products and internet connectivity. 

HOW YOU CAN HELP Donate generously here. Any amount is welcome and will go a long way to help and better the lives of our migrant workers.

Project Belanja

Be part of all local food chain for good with Project Belanja. Make someone's day when you belanja (which means treat in Malay) someone to a meal. Who benefits? Migrant workers and other vulnerable segments of the community who are happy to receive a treat. The organisation also works closely with the Restaurant Association of Singapore's 100 restaurateurs and food chains to bring joy and cheer in the form of nutritious and tasty catered meals to our migrant workers. In turn, you're also supporting local F&B businesses.

HOW YOU CAN HELP Donate to the Project Belanja fund to get started.

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Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES)

ACRES was started in 2001 to promote animal welfare. The organisation has now branched out to cover animal rescue, advocacy to protect Singapore's wildlife and also rehabilitation of injured animals. During this period, funding has decreased and the team has to operate with reduced manpower. This means that there are lesser volunteers to help out with the daily work at the centre and also no roadshows and events to help spread awareness on protecting our wildlife.

HOW YOU CAN HELP Keep the organisation running during these tough time with a small donation you can make at the website

Migrant Workers' Assistance Fund

The 'circuit breaker' period has highlighted some unsettling truths about the treatment of migrant workers in Singapore. Being quarantined in the cramped living conditions is something no one should experience – and they need our help. The Migrant Workers' Assitance Fund (MWAF) is the humanitarian charity of the Migrant Workers' Centre (MWC). The organisation helps with the welfare of the workers and also any disputes or queries they have regarding their employment rights.

HOW YOU CAN HELP You can donate any amount to the MWAF. Every $10 donated helps provide three meals to one worker and there is also the option of giving a monthly donation to the charity. 

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COVID 19 Support Fund For Our Foreign Workers

Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) is a non-profit organisation in Singapore dedicated to improving conditions for low-wage migrant workers. Migrant workers deserve fair treatment too and we need to start improving their welfare and the conditions they are housed in. 

HOW YOU CAN HELP Donate to this campaign to raise funds to help migrant workers in Singapore meet their basic needs. Any amount goes a long way to providing them meals, having an allowance for public transport, credits for their prepaid cards and also medical support.

Sayang Sayang Fund

The Sayang Sayang Fund is a community impact fund that cares for the vulnerable segments like the elderly and those in low-income families. The fund will be kept open indefinitely to ensure that these groups get the help they need during this period.

HOW YOU CAN HELP Contribute any amount to the Sayang Sayang Fund

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The Courage Fund

First established in 2003 during the SARS outbreak, The Courage Fund has helped many individuals and families who are struggling to overcome difficulties. This includes losing income that affects caregiving duties and expenses for essential items. Once again, the fund lends support during these times through relief schemes and grants. You can also check if you qualify for any of these.

HOW YOU CAN HELP You can donate any amount (minimum of $1) to the Community Chest

Food Bank Singapore

Due to social distancing measures and rules about public gatherings, Food Bank Singapore has seen a decrease in volunteers – an important part of the group's operations. The organisation currently has 200,000 beneficiaries receiving food and 360 beneficiary centres.

HOW YOU CAN HELP Donations go towards ensuring that food still reaches these beneficiaries. The organisation accepts donations from individuals and corporations. 

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The Red Cross for Vulnerable Elderly

Any donation to the Singapore Red Cross goes a long way in helping the vulnerable groups like the elderly and disabled. There are many branches that need your help including Red Cross Home for the Disabled (RCHD), Day Activity Centre (DAC), ElderAid and HoME+ (Home Monitoring and Eldercare), TransportAid, Family LifeAid and the volunteer and youth development programmes that provide training for all volunteers. 

HOW YOU CAN HELP Show some care and chip in with a donation to the Singapore Red Cross.

New Hope Community Services

One of the main missions of New Hope Community Services is to provide temporary shelter to homeless Singaporeans and empower them to improve their situation. During the Covid-crisis, it has been helping out by providing shelter and relief for displaced individuals and families as well as stranded Malaysian workers.

HOW YOU CAN HELP Chip in with any amount you can. Every $20 sponsors someone with a daily meal and hygiene products.

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Alzheimer's Disease Association

One in ten people above the age of 60 may have dementia in Singapore. For caregivers of seniors with dementia, things can get difficult during times like this, especially if cash flow is affected. The Alzheimer's Disease Association (ADA) aims to raise $100 each for 143 families, gifting them with NTUC vouchers to tide them through this period.

HOW YOU CAN HELP Contribute to this effort and donate any amount to the fund, or select a donation package to help the families.

Chope and Save

A group of volunteers have compiled a list of local businesses that need your help to get through Covid-19. The team at Chope and Save connects you directly to food and beverage operators or retail shops that offer gift cards, allowing you to support them during this period by providing immediate cash.

HOW YOU CAN HELP Buy gift cards! You can use them at any time after purchase. Some local businesses include BooksActually, Cat Socrates, Tanuki Raw as well as Salted and Hung. The funds go towards things like rent, labour, loan repayments, insurance, supplies, repairs and more.

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Action for Singapore Dogs

According to a spokesperson of Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD), there has been a spike in applications to adopt recently, probably due to the fact that many people are currently home-based. While this is good news, a big issue has been that all kennel visits and adoption events have been put on hold to protect the volunteers – which means that donations have declined.

HOW YOU CAN HELP RedDot Brewhouse, Employees Only, Pasta Lab and Papi's Tacos have come together to help bring awareness to ASD during these times. The F&B joints are offering delivery cocktail kits, pasta boxes and taco sets via Deliveroo with labels and leaflets that promote the dogs up for adoption, reminding the public how they can help out and chip in with donations and funds.

Other ways you can help

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