More used textbooks needed for NTUC FairPrice book collection
By Evelyn Choo, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 24 November 2009 1917 hrs

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SINGAPORE: It is the end of the school year, and for students and parents wondering what to do with used textbooks, they can drop them off at any NTUC FairPrice outlet.

250 eager student volunteers are doing their bit to help other needy students and families.

Besides Nanyang Junior College, the other schools volunteering their help are Yio Chu Kang Secondary, St Anthony Canossian, Changkat Changi Secondary, Shuqun Secondary and Bukit Batok Secondary.

Tan Chee How, student, Nanyang Junior College, said: "We are sorting them very neatly so that the public can come in for collection. I thought this was a very good way to encourage thrift because needy families don't need to buy the books."

Although the project is into its 27th year, it is experiencing a slow start.

Angela Soo, deputy director, Corporate Communications, NTUC FairPrice, said: "People are still sorting out their books at home because school just closed last week.

"And also based on past years' experience, we usually see a spike towards the end of the period where people will start donating their books. So we're hoping to get the public to come forward and donate their books at all FairPrice supermarkets before the closing date of 30th November."

With just a week to its deadline, less than a third of the company's target has been met. But FairPrice hopes to eventually collect 180,000 books by next Monday.

The project started in 1983 and has helped 120,000 needy students nationwide, collecting over 1.6 million second-hand textbooks and distributing them to low-income families for free. - CNA/vm