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The program, launched on Friday by the country’s second biggest lender by assets OCBC and the North East Community Development Council (CDC), will offer 165,000 warm meals to financially struggling households in over a year starting September, according to a statement by the Ministry of Social and Family Development.

Residents can redeem the meals at around 30 food lockers in the towns of Tampines, Punggol and Pasir Ris-Changi.

“The only time I can really see my kids during the school term is during dinner time. But if I can cut the 30 minutes to one hour I spend preparing dinner, then I can spend more time with them,” said single mother Elsie Lim, according to The Straits Times.

The 43-year-old works as an administrative assistant until 6 p.m. each day before picking up her daughter from childcare, ironing the school uniforms of her two children, aged six and 16, cooking dinner and preparing her daughter for bed.

She added that there are times when she cannot cook for her children because she is out running errands or working. The program will also help Lim save money, as she said grocery and hawker food prices have been increasing.

Among the eight halal-certified meals available at launch are spaghetti with roasted chicken, stir-fried chicken udon, rendang chicken, vegetarian tofu with mushroom sauce rice and teriyaki fish rice.

For Michael Ethan Gerald, 39, the menu options will help meet the nutritional needs of his sons, aged five and three.

The full-time caregiver to his children said his family used to receive cartons of pouches containing processed food from a food charity a few years ago.

Michael also said that, besides concerns about his children’s nutritional needs, the cartons of food pouches took up considerable space. His family would also throw away uneaten food, resulting in food waste.

The program is funded by SGD500,000 contributed equally by OCBC and the North East CDC. Meals can be redeemed between noon and 3 p.m. and between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

There will be over 50 meals on a rotational basis, with at least eight options or more every day, according to Channel News Asia.

Speaking during the program launch, Mayor of North East District Baey Yam Keng said that for families already stretched thin by work, caregiving and financial pressures, putting a meal on the table every day can be a struggle.

“This program exists to ease that burden in a practical and dignified way. A warm meal may seem like a small thing, but for a family having a hard week, it can be one less worry,” said Baey.

He added that the North East CDC is already working with the Social Service Office in Sengkang to expand the program there.

Baey said that while other programs help with food security, including those that allow lower-income residents to buy groceries at discounted prices, the warm meal program can assist those who cannot or do not cook at home.

Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli was also at the launch. He noted that sitting together as a family over a warm meal represents more than simply eating the food served.

“When time and energy run thin, warm meals could be one of the things they (families) give up or don’t have the time or effort to do,” he said.

The minister also thanked family coaches from MSF Social Service Offices for taking the time to listen to and observe how families are coping with the challenges of daily life.

He said: “The family coaches understand that this is also about reducing stress, creating stability and helping families find moments to connect with one another.”

OCBC head of group brand and communications Koh Ching Ching said: “No family should have to worry about where their next warm, wholesome meal will come from.”

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