SINGAPORE - About 320 low-income families in rental units in Sembawang GRC's Gambas division received some early festive cheer ahead of Chinese New Year on Sunday (Jan 28).

Packs filled with healthier food items and red packets containing $20 in FairPrice vouchers were handed out by 70 volunteers from Keppel Land and Republic Polytechnic with support from Education Minister (Higher Education and Skills) Ong Ye Kung.

The initiative is part of the WeCare @ North West - Service Weeks campaign, which has been organised by the North West Community Development Council for the past five years.

The three-week programme will involve about 1,600 corporate, school and community volunteers helping distribute festive packs to 6,000 rental households across 13 divisions within the North West District. Home improvement services will also be delivered to 60 needy households.

One of Sunday's beneficiaries, Mr Muhd Fadhli, 23, said the FairPrice voucher and food items like oatmeal and cereal will go a long way for his family.

Mr Fadhli, a national serviceman, lives in a one-room flat in Yishun with his mother and four younger siblings. The household relies on government assistance and Mr Fadhli's NS rank allowance, as his mother cares for his younger siblings aged between two and 17 and does not work.

"My family is not rich, so this helps quite a bit. It's good to see students stepping up to volunteer also," he said.