Central Singapore CDC

Central Singapore Org

unsung hero

Volunteers of Food From the Heart By Chua Yih Ing

An Austrian couple Henry and Christine Laimer are using their professional expertise in logistics to organise the collection of unsold bread from bakeries with a group of volunteers and to re-distribute the bread to charitable organisations. The newly formed non-profit organisation "Food From The Heart" has received overwhelming support from volunteers, bakeries, corporate sponsors, and above all, recognition from the public.

The responses from volunteers have been overwhelming and hail from different walks of life. One of the most committed people who have come forward is Angie Lim, an IT specialist who is going to work full-time with the programme. Angie shares her motivations with us and describes other Unsung Heroes she has met.

Q: Heard you have even quitted your job to help with this programme. Why?
I have always wanted to work in the social services sector despite my professional training in IT. So when Christine asked if I'm able to help out with this programme on a full-time basis, I thought, why not!

People tell me that this is not worth sinking a career into, but I put my IT skills to use here with setting up the administrations. There are also invaluable skills that I have learnt, like communication and coordination. Working on this charitable programme will also expose me to areas of business, human relations and corporate partnership so that I will have a lot to gain from this exposure.

Q: What has left the deepest impression on you since you've started with the programme?
The people. Henry and Christine for their commitment and optimism, the staff at Central Singapore CDC for their dedication, and the many volunteers, some of whom bring their kids along to expose them to voluntary work.

Q: Share your darkest moments too?
What I would define as my darkest moments would be if our volunteers were unable to commit for longer than 3 months, or that bread companies may leave the programme. We would not be able to sustain without them.

We will continuously need more volunteers to join us, share the load and deliveries so that each volunteer will not be overtaxed.

Q: What do you hope for the future?
I hope that we will be able to reach out to all the needy and one day, even go beyond food, for example, to distribute unsold concert tickets to homes like they do in London!

*Food From The Heart is a programme supported by Central Singapore CDC as part of its objective to support community initiatives. We have worked closely with the founders and volunteers in areas of brainstorming, administration and liaison with recipients of the programme.

*Food From The Heart is currently recruiting volunteers. Besides deliveries, volunteers are also required as Home Coordinators, Administrators, website developers and more!
To find out more about the programme and register as a volunteer, please visit the website www.foodheart.org