NTUC FairPrice took the needy shopping as part of anniversary celebrations

Ms Ng May Chan (in blue), 57, went on a shopping trip sponsored by NTUC FairPrice as part of their 41st anniversary celebrations. Ms Ng May Chan, 57, chose $50 worth of groceries, including instant noodles, bread and tuna, from the FairPrice Fin
Ms Ng May Chan (in blue), 57, went on a shopping trip sponsored by NTUC FairPrice as part of their 41st anniversary celebrations. Ms Ng May Chan, 57, chose $50 worth of groceries, including instant noodles, bread and tuna, from the FairPrice Finest outlet at Bukit Timah Plaza on Tuesday, Aug 5, 2014, and did not have to pay a cent. -- PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO

SINGAPORE - Ms Ng May Chan, 57, chose $50 worth of groceries, including instant noodles, bread and tuna, from the FairPrice Finest outlet at Bukit Timah Plaza on Tuesday and did not have to pay a cent.

For she and 40 other beneficiaries from various charity and voluntary welfare organisations were on a shopping trip sponsored by NTUC FairPrice, as part of the supermarket chain's anniversary celebrations. The chain turned 41 on July 22.

Ms Ng, who has cerebral palsy and lives alone in a one-room flat, usually spends about $30 a month on groceries. She is a beneficiary of the SPD, which helps the physically disabled. Others who got the free groceries hailed from the likes of Ren Ci Nursing Home and Bishan Home for the Intellectually Disabled.

Mr Seah Kian Peng, chief executive of NTUC FairPrice, accompanied some of them while they shopped. He said: "One 50-year-old was even joking that if he did not buy certain items, his mum would pull his ear.Some of them came with very detailed shopping lists of what they had to buy. "

He added: "Most people love shopping, so we wanted to bring them to our store."

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.