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MORE HELP: For every pineapple rice it sells, Lerk Thai will be donating to the Hearts of Gold campaign. Launching the partnership are (from left) Lerk Thai executive director Jack Tan, North West District Mayor Teo Ho Pin, Lerk Thai's parent firm Select Group's managing director Vincent Tan and CDC general manager Toh Lay Hoon. -- ST PHOTO: FRANCIS ONG
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MORE needy residents in the North West District are turning to its community development council (CDC) for food handouts in the wake of fast-rising prices for staples like rice and noodles.
In the first quarter of this year, more than 300 people have applied for rations, a 40 per cent jump over the last three months of last year, said officials yesterday.
For one 45-year-old delivery driver, who did not want to be named, increasing food prices have made it difficult for his family of five to get by on his $1,600 monthly salary. 'We have tried to buy cheaper brands and cut down on eating out,' he said.
The appeals have prompted the CDC to partner the Lerk Thai restaurant chain in a three- month charity drive. During the campaign, 10 Lerk Thai outlets will donate $1 to the district's food-ration programme for every plate of pineapple rice sold.
The amount will be matched by the CDC, which hopes to raise $30,000 by the end of the campaign, called Hearts of Gold @ North West, to help about 1,000 needy families for a year.
'We are very concerned about the effects of rising food prices on the needy,' said Mayor Teo Ho Pin. 'So, we have been looking into how we can get more helping hands to come in and help the needy in our district.'
Anticipating a surge in demand for food rations, the North West CDC is looking for donations from more firms, said Dr Teo. Now, Bo Tien Welfare Services, Thye Hua Kwan Moral Society and Sheng Siong Supermarket are donating food to the district's ration package.
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