Singapore - Some 200 needy residents in Marsiling had an early taste of Christmas cheer when they received a free lunch, supermarket vouchers and a trolley full of necessities on Saturday (Nov 19).

Their benefactors? Grassroots organisations in the Marsiling division of Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, and megachurch New Creation Church.

Saturday's event, the third tie-up between the two organisations, saw 150 families take home $30,000 worth of items, including soap, salt and a $100 supermarket voucher for each household.

The church's creative team also put up multi-cultural performances, like a medley of Malay songs and a song-and-dance item from popular Korean drama serial Descendants of the Sun.

Said Pastor Lawrence Lim: "(This party) is a reflection of what we strongly believe, that God's love has no boundaries, and truly, we are united as one people, one nation in our diversity."

Speaker of Parliament and Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC MP Halimah Yacob, the event's guest-of-honour, said it was heartwarming that the event cut across racial and religious lines.

"It shows that Singapore is truly inclusive - not only focused on one race or religion... That's really good for our multiculturalism," she said.

Beneficiary Eng Noi Kee, 76, said the goodies and lunch will help her to get into the Christmas spirit.

Said the retired factory worker in Mandarin: "I am full of gratitude to all the people who made my life a joyful one."