Chairman for its Sharity Gift Box 2008, Mr Lui Chong Chee said that they are still short of basic food necessities such as rice, cooking oil, halal canned food and diapers.

These items - usually donated by the public - will be packed in bags and delivered to 3,000 needy recipients under the Public Assistance scheme and 171 voluntary welfare organisations.

Rather than blaming the economic downturn, Mr Lui attributes the shortfall to the charity closing earlier this year and it being overshadowed by other 'issues' such as the Mumbai terror attacks.

'There was a bit of noise in the press such as the issues in Asia...and the public did not manage to read much about the charity that is going on at this time,' he said.

Although the project closed on Friday, food and household items will still be accepted till the end of this month and Mr Lui is confident that the target will be reached by then.

'Every year we do fall short of the target...(but) as we end the year and go into Christmas, we would reach the target,' said Mr Lui.

When the project closed last year, 80 per cent of food and household items were collected and the remaining 20 per cent came in at the end of the year.

The brigade is also encouraged by what they have achieved thus far such as fulfilling the wishies of more than 10,000 beneficiaries in which items 'wished' by needy recipients such as teddy bears, walking canes and a new microwave would be given to them.

New to the project this year is a new category of 'specific wishes' known as 'special wishes' in which items such as a new pair of dentures will be given to the needy who do not fall under the charity's other existing categories of beneficiaries such as children, the elderly and families.

When asked if the gloomy economic outlook in 2009 will pose a challenge to next year's project, Mr Lui said that the team would just have to 'work harder' and reaching out to people earlier next year.

'BBSGB has been around for 21 years, so we have gone through the economic crisis in '97, 2001 and 2002...and we have sailed through it quite well and we believe that in 2008 and 2009, we will also do well,' he added.

Five chief executive officers from companies such as AXS, Jetstar Asia and Frasers Hospitality helped deliver bags of groceries to a number of needy recipients in the Ang Mo Kio area yesterday.

'Charity is less about the wallet. The economic times are difficult but we continue to have faith...it's all about heart and touching the hearts of people...and I have faith that Singaporeans will reach out,' said Mr Lui.

Donations of food and household items can be made by bringing them directly to the Boys' Brigade headquarters or making purchases online at www.fairprice.com.sg.