Singapore Charities Urge Community for Increased Donations and Volunteer Support This Festive Season

As the festive season approaches, marked by celebrations such as Christmas and the imminent Chinese New Year, Singaporean charities are appealing for more donations and volunteers to meet the growing demand for assistance.

While many residents traditionally use this time to declutter their homes, leading to a surge in donations of secondhand items, not all charities are experiencing the same level of support. For instance, the Boys' Brigade Singapore has reported that it is only halfway towards its donation target this year. According to executive director Desmond Koh, "While we have enough staple items like rice and instant noodles, there's a pressing need for beverages, halal canned food, biscuits, and cookies. Additional donations of these items would significantly help us."

This year, the Boys' Brigade is set to prepare hampers for an impressive 51,185 beneficiaries, the largest number in its history. However, Koh points out that the organization is struggling to find enough volunteers with vehicles to deliver these hampers, prompting a shift towards on-foot deliveries. "By organizing the deliveries closer to the intended recipients, we can make it easier for volunteers to sign up and help," he explained.

Despite these new strategies, the charity still faces challenges, with over 60% of delivery slots remaining unfilled until the year’s end.

Rallying Support for Migrant Workers

Another organization making strides in volunteer engagement is ItsRainingRaincoats, which focuses on supporting migrant workers. They have galvanized a team of roughly 100 volunteers through social media and local outreach, aiming to wrap gifts for a staggering 1 million recipients. Operations head Vrinda Dhingra emphasized the importance of empathy, stating, "Imagine being alone in a foreign land without the means to celebrate the holidays. Understanding their struggles fosters compassion and drives us to help."

Though Their volunteer numbers are currently sufficient for the festive rush, Dhingra stresses the continuous need for volunteers year-round to sustain their outreach programs.

Notable Increases in Donations

The Singapore Red Cross has reported a significant increase in donations, with a surge of 20% to 30% in secondhand items during the festive season alone. There's also been a remarkable jump in the reusability of donated items, climbing from 40% to 80% this year. Johnny Tang, head of resource development at Singapore Red Cross, stated that heightened public awareness regarding sustainability has encouraged more individuals to contribute, alongside efforts made during the COVID-19 pandemic that resulted in households accumulating more items.

“We’ve seen staff feeling more fulfilled by actively giving back to the community, which we believe is a contributing factor to our increased donations,” Tang noted.

The Red Cross is ensuring that the donated items are effectively distributed to vulnerable communities or sold, with proceeds directly benefiting those in need. Their growing volunteer base has also expanded by an impressive 40%.

Thryft's Innovative Approach to Donations

Local startup Thryft is also experiencing a boost in secondhand item donations, reporting a year-on-year increase of 30%. On track to receive around 1,500 items weekly, the thrift shop offers preloved books, clothing, and vinyl records, with about 70% of the items suitable for reuse. Notably, 20% of their proceeds are allocated to supporting non-profit organizations.

To manage this influx efficiently, Th