The next time you are about to throw away a food product, think twice. Your unwanted tin of biscuits could actually go a long, long way somewhere else.

There are several non-profit organisations in Singapore that will distribute these items to those who need it. It is a win-win situation; you get to reduce food wastage and the unprivileged benefits from your donation.

From nursing home Lions Home For The Elders to charity organisation Willing Hearts, here is our guide to 5 Places Where You Can Donate Food To In Singapore For A Good Cause.

#1 FEI YUE

Do you have any extra or unused beverages, biscuits, canned food, instant noodles, milk powder and/or rice with a shelf life of at least three months? You could donate them to Fei Yue – a voluntary welfare organisation – whom would then distribute these necessities to the elderly who live by themselves as well as families who are facing financial difficulties.

20 Lengkok Bahru
Block B, #03-02
Singapore 159053
Tel: +65 6819 9177
Nearest Station: Redhill

Source: Food Heart

#2 FOOD FROM THE HEART

Food From The Heart (FFTH) reaches out to grassroots organisations and welfare homes by distributing food items to those in need. You can donate non-perishable food items such as biscuits, baked beans, button mushrooms, condensed milk, salt and sardines etc. It doesn’t matter if you are looking to help long term or to just be a one-time donor. Everything counts!

Donors are encouraged to give FFTH a call before making their way down to the warehouse. You can also donate to FFTH via their wishlist.

130 Joo Seng Road #03-01
Singapore 368357
Tel: +65 6280 4483
Mon to Fri: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Tai Seng

#3 LIONS HOME FOR THE ELDERS

Lions Home for the Elders is a nursing home accredited as an Approved Service Provider by the Ministry of Health. It accepts food donations such as fresh vegetables, packaged cake rolls and bottled mineral water etc. Visit the official website’s food wish list for their wish list.

It is recommended that you drop by on weekdays between 9am to 6pm to deliver the food donations.

9 Bishan Street 13
Singapore 579804
Tel: +65 6252 9900
Nearest Station: Bishan

487 Bedok South Avenue 2
Singapore 469316
Tel: +65 6244 0667
Nearest Station: Bedok

#4 THE FOOD BANK SINGAPORE

The Food Bank Singapore collects unused food products from families, companies, eateries, restaurants and basically anyone who wishes to donate. These items will then be sorted out and sent to their member beneficiaries such as nursing homes and family service centres.

Want to do more? Why not organise a food drive with The Food Bank Singapore! There are various locations where you can drop off your personal food donations. Visit The Food Bank Singapore’s official website for more information.

#5 WILLING HEARTS

Run almost wholly by volunteers, Willing Hearts is a charity with a noble aim of improving the lives of the underprivileged. Willing Hearts also operates a soup kitchen where they prepare some 4,500 meals daily throughout the year for the disabled, elderly, migrant workers and others who are struggling financially.

You can help out by contributing cooking oil, rice or other food products to Willing Hearts. Fill up this online form and the organisation will be in contact with you shortly.

Vacations do not necessarily have to be indulgent, pricey getaways. Your vacation can be for a cause.

An increasing number of volunteer vacations have been created for different causes such as conservation of elephants and teaching English language to the unfortunate ones who are denied of education. As Robert G. Ingersoll once said, “we rise by lifting others.”

What interests you, and what do you feel strongly for? From conducting marine research in Thailand to working on Cambodia’s ongoing human rights projects, the types of volunteering vacations are actually abundant and here are 11 Volunteering Vacations in Asia that everyone should know about.

#1 DIVING AND MARINE CONSERVATION, THAILAND

Thailand’s Diving and Marine Conservation project is located near Ao Nang, with the main objective of this program being to conserve its marine environment. Volunteers will receive training, where you would be taught to scuba dive via PADI Open Water standards. You would also be involved in a series of activities such as reforestation work and reef check surveys etc.

Interested participants can register to volunteer with either Pod Volunteer or Projects Abroad.

Source: Chiangmai Specialist

#2 ELEPHANT CONSERVATION, THAILAND

Thailand’s national animal has unfortunately been overexploited for logging and whatnot over the past decades. Several organisations across Thailand have stepped up to take this matters into their hands, and are slowly (but surely) rescuing these abused gigantic creatures.

Volunteers can help out at these rehabilitation centres such as Thai Elephant Conservation Center (TECC) by providing assistance in bathing and feeding these elephants.

#3 ENGLISH TEACHING, CHINA

Always wanted to be a teacher? You can do so in China, where countless of students are ever eager to pick up English. There are many teaching positions across China; some jobs are paid, some aren’t. Do your research intensively before settling for one!

You can look up for such opportunities online via Teach Away and Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE).

#4 ENGLISH TEACHING, LAOS

If you are looking for a path off the beaten track, then perhaps teaching English in Laos is something you can consider. Interested participants can volunteer as English teachers to young Laotians or work at international schools. Bordered by Cambodia, China, Thailand, Myanmar and Vietnam, Laos makes a great gateway to other Asian countries.

Look up the available listings for english teaching in Laos on Go Overseas.

#5 ENGLISH TEACHING, SOUTH KOREA

Teaching English in South Korea could be either a short-term project or a long-term commitment. You could be either a paid english teacher at a public school or volunteer on a smaller scale with a host family or at a cafe instead. In return, your hosts will provide you complimentary food and housing.

Cultural Homestay International or Lzone Language Cafe are currently providing english teaching opportunities.

#6 HELPING OUT AT THE FARMS, JAPAN

Upon paying an annual WWOOF membership fee, travellers are allowed to stay with a Japanese host and partake in a variety of farm life activities such as building houses, feeding animals and shovelling snow etc. This intimate experience enable volunteers to enjoy free lodging and meals.

If you would like to live in Japan for a short period for free by helping out at the farms, visit WWOOF Japan’s site for more details.

Source: Majestic Gobi Tour

#7 JOURNALISM, MONGOLIA

Aspiring journalists, experienced reporters and all enthusiastic media industry people – listen up! If you have a penchant for Asian topics and are looking for an out-of-the-world experience in print, radio or TV – why not consider an internship at the capital of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar? Your work will be recognised by the industry and will definitely make your resume stand out.

Check out Projects Abroad for more information regarding a journalism stint in Mongolia.

#8 JOURNALISM, SRI LANKA

How does an internship at Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka sound? You will be tasked to work on either a national daily or weekly English print publication. Topics to cover include arts, business, current affairs and even sports. Your job scope will also encompass feature writing, interviewing, researching and reporting. A minimum of 8 weeks is required.

For more specific details regarding a journalism internship at Sri Lanka, visit Projects Abroad.

#9 MOTHER TERESA, INDIA

If you have been inspired by Mother Teresa’s unconditional love for others, you too can experience it firsthand by volunteering with the Missionaries of Charity at Kolkata, India. Of course, the decision to join is more of a commitment, and is in fact far, far away from a “vacation”. While even a few days there would be life changing, it is important to note that it isn’t for everyone because hardships are to be endured, and the more emotional ones would be affected greatly by the heartbreaking poverty and living conditions.

Visit Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity official website for more details.

#10 ORGANIC FARMING, TAIWAN

World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) is an organisation that allows travellers to volunteer at farms across numerous countries. In Taiwan itself, organic farms are recruiting volunteers all year round and in exchange, these helpers receive complimentary accommodation and food.

Sounds like something you are keen on? Visit WWOOF Taiwan’s official website.

Source: 3rd Pole Tour

#11 PANDA CONSERVATION, CHINA

Love pandas and want to interact with these adorable creatures? Here is your opportunity to care for them and even receive a panda volunteer certificate! Dujiangyan Base – located within a 95-minute drive away from Chengdu – is currently the only place that offers such a panda volunteer program. People aged between 12 to 65 years old can apply.

Look up Pandas International organisation if you are interested to join.

About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She previously worked in the food and marketing industry. She loves traveling and enjoys exploring underrated destinations. In her free time, you will find her indulging in coffee and her all time favourite local dish – bak chor mee.