We feel strongly that every child must have adequate meals. The Government and the community have put in place programmes to help school children with their meals.

Under the School Breakfast Programme funded by the Ministry of Education, students from needy families can have free breakfast in school. Currently, there are 150 primary schools on the programme. Some schools also provide free meals during recess.

Since 2000, The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund has helped children from low-income families with school expenses, including money for food at recess. The fund is administered by the National Council of Social Service and disbursed through 69 social organisations including family service centres, agencies helping single parents, children's homes, voluntary welfare organisations helping people with disabilities and special schools.

Last year, $3.2 million was raised for the fund. The programme benefits an average of 7,500 children a year.

The Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) started a Meals-on-

Wheels for Children programme in 2006 to provide free nutritious dinners to children from low-income families at their schools or social service centres from Mondays to Fridays. Meals can also be delivered to individual families on a needs basis. About 90 children are currently on the programme.

We thank Mr Lee for his suggestion and will discuss with interested agencies the feasibility of taking up this suggestion. As of now, those who wish to help can contact the schools of their choice to make a donation to the School Breakfast Programme and the YWCA (call Ms Aggie Xie on 6223-1227 or e-mail admin@ywca.org.sg) to donate to the Meals-on-Wheels for Children programme.

For information on how to donate to The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, visit www.straitstimes.com/School+Pocket+Money+Fund/About+SPMF/About+SPMF.html .

Kevin Shum
Director, ComCare and Social Support Division
Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports