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SINGAPORE : Singapore's largest Christmas charity project is 35 per cent short of its collection target for this year. This is one of largest shortfalls in the project's 21 years.
It aims to collect food and necessities for 18,000 needy Singaporeans.
Christmas came early for some elderly folks in Ang Mo Kio on Friday. Bags of food, expected to last at least six months, were delivered by The Boys' Brigade.
Items like rice, cooking oil and canned food had been donated to the Sharity Gift Box some three weeks ago.
But some of the needy may not get all the necessities, as donations have been especially low this year.
Lui Chong Chee, chairman, Boys' Brigade Sharity Gift Box 2008, said: "There are a few things that we are short of that are important - we are short of adult diapers, halal canned food, cooking oil and instant cereal. And instant cereal, we mean by Quaker oats, so these are nutritious stuff for elderly and children.
"It is about going out to the people and reaching out to the people earlier. So maybe we just need to work harder in 2009."
Organisers said donations usually pour in towards the end of the year to make up for the shortfall. But if that does not happen this year, some poor families may have to do with just three months of food, instead of six.
The project's corporate sponsors, like AIA, have also cut back on funding. This year it donated S$10,000 - a 90 per cent drop from previous years.
The Boys' Brigade even had to dip into its reserves to operate the Sharity Gift Box, as it only managed to raise half the amount needed this year.
But the project did fulfil the wishes of 10,000 Singaporeans who had asked for presents like wheelchairs and dentures. Half of these requests came from the elderly.
Members of the public can still donate by logging online or delivering their items to the Boys' Brigade Headquarters at Ganges Avenue. - CNA/ms
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