DBS Foundation commits S$7.3 million for new programme to support 6,000 vulnerable seniors
It aims to tackle social isolation and insufficient nutrition
[SINGAPORE] In conjunction with SG60, DBS Foundation on Saturday (Mar 29) launched a S$7.3 million programme to support around 6,000 vulnerable seniors across 12 ageing towns over the next two years.
Under the new programme, beneficiaries will receive two nutritious meals every week, as well as tips on how to eat healthier, from June this year.
On a monthly basis, the bank’s 14,000-strong workforce will befriend seniors for activities such as games and cook-offs. Staff volunteers will also conduct workshops on key topics including financial and digital literacy and mental wellness every month.
Additionally, every quarter, volunteers will go on supermarket shopping trips with beneficiaries to buy S$60 worth of groceries.
Karen Ngui, head of DBS Foundation and DBS group strategic marketing and communications, said: “Many vulnerable seniors struggle with nutrition and social connectedness – basic needs that are essential to one’s well-being, yet extremely complex to tackle and not something a quick fix can change. Through this programme, we hope to create change that goes beyond short-term relief.”
It follows the foundation’s efforts to focus on ageing, as Singapore will become a super-aged society by next year, she added.
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The United Nations defines a country as “super-aged” when the proportion of its population aged 65 and above reaches 21 per cent.
The announcement was made at the 38th and final edition of the DBS Foundation Community Pop-Up Market at MPC@Khatib on Saturday, where Minister for Home Affairs and Law K Shanmugam was the guest of honour.
Over the last seven months, DBS Foundation committed S$3.8 million and deployed 2,000 staff volunteers to run these markets around 24 towns in Singapore, alleviating rising costs of living for more than 30,000 beneficiaries.
At the market, lower-income households select S$100 worth of groceries and essential items – such as toilet paper and oats – for free. There are also booths set up to teach the community about anti-scam awareness, healthy eating habits and financial literacy.
Shanmugam said: “This project is particularly important for residents, as they get to choose what they want from the market.”
DBS Foundation works with community partners to engage beneficiaries, such as Lion Befrienders, whose executive director Karen Wee said: “The DBS Foundation Community Pop-Up Market has been a vital platform for connecting vulnerable seniors with essential resources and social support.”
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