SINGAPORE: The popular Loyang Tua Pek Kong Temple on Sunday donated some 3,000 kilogrammes of rice to 600 needy families in Pasir Ris-Punggol through the "Grains of Love" programme.

For Mr Choong Sing Choy, who works as a health assistant, the rice is a welcome relief.

The sole breadwinner earns about S$800 a month and finds it tough to feed his family of four. "Most of the time we are getting bread... to cut cost, that's the reason."

"Now I have a very big financial (problem), so I hope the MP can look (into) my matter," he added.

Some residents are also considering other alternatives to rice.

Resident Abdul Hamid Abdullah said: "Perhaps I will have to vary my food, and switch from rice to bread, or find food that's cheaper, such as yam or tapioca that can also fill me up."

MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC Teo Chee Hean, who is also the defence minister, said: "In Singapore, there's a wide range of safety nets. First of all, employment continues to be high.

"(In the) last two years, there was a lot of new employment created, so Singaporeans have jobs. And also last year, the wage increases were quite good."

"But there is a group of Singaporeans that need help, and I think this rice donation, as well as other forms of help - like ComCare (which is) available from the CDC - will be able to reach out to them.

"If there are any residents who need help, we welcome them to come forward and we will help them in whatever way we can," he added. - CNA/ac