The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) 's first food-raising efforts among its staff have benefited 278 needy households under the Ministry of Community Development's Public Assistance and Silver Jubilee Fund Special Grant Schemes. In the last two weeks, all staff in the MPA were encouraged to contribute food items for these homes. The beneficiaries of the food parcels are mostly elderly folks staying in the Tanjong Pagar GRC.

Each food parcel has items such as rice, vegetable cooking oil, fine sugar, beverage mixes including Milo or Ovaltine, condensed milk, instant noodles and biscuits.

Despite the economic downturn, the staff at MPA have donated generously to this food- charity drive. All Divisions had met the assigned quota of food parcels to be prepared. As a show of support for the staff's efforts, the MPA will be topping off each food parcel with a $25 NTUC Fair Price Gift Voucher. The food contributions and gift vouchers amount to about $12,000.

More than 100 MPA staff have also volunteered to distribute the food parcels and gift vouchers. The first distribution to 121 homes located in Cantonment Road, Jalan Bukit Merah, Bukit Merah View, Viking Road and Tiong Bahru Road was carried out on 19 Dec 98. Another 157 households situated in Redhill Close, Redhill Road, Lengkok Bahru, Kim Tian Place, Henderson Road, Telok Blangah Crescent, New Bridge Road and Outram Park will receive their gifts on 23 Dec when the MPA volunteers make their rounds.

Mrs Lee Chin Neo, Director, Corporate Services, said, "In spite of the difficult times, we are happy that our staff have risen to our call for food donations to help needy folks. We are glad to lend assistance in kind to the less fortunate in our community during this festive season."

End of Statement.