Besides coffee shops offering SG60 promotions, several local zi char stalls are also celebrating Singapore’s 60th birthday in their own ways. Some are giving back through charity, while others are rolling out special deals for customers.
Local zi char stall Chuan Kee Seafood has decided to work with more charities to spread warmth by giving out free meals every week to elderly residents living alone in rental flats and to lower-income families.
Chuan Kee Seafood, which first opened in 1975, has been around for 50 years. Its owner, Freddie Lim, runs seafood zi char stalls at Toa Payoh and along Lower Delta Road.
About 10 years ago, the Toa Payoh branch started partnering with non profit group Secondmeal to provide meals for those in need. Secondmeal mainly serves the underprivileged in Singapore, and anyone with a Secondmeal card can collect free meals at the stall.
In an interview with Shin Min Daily News, Freddie Lim said he prefers giving meals instead of money as a way of helping others.
“As long as it is within our means, we should try to help. Making sure that the less fortunate get a proper meal is not difficult.”
Since last year, Chuan Kee’s Lower Delta Road outlet has also been preparing around 50 lunch boxes every Friday, which volunteers then deliver to rental flats at Jalan Minyak and York Hill for lower-income families and elderly residents.
His son, 33-year-old Eddie Lim, shared that they have also started donating to Bright Hill Evergreen Home as their small way of contributing. “This year, we also sent more than 200 lunch boxes to one of their events,” he added.
Eddie Lim added that his father’s commitment to serving meals to the less fortunate has been a great inspiration, and he plans to continue the effort when he takes over.
“Since we started, Chuan Kee has already given out more than 10,000 meals. This year marks SG60, and we also hope that organisations in need will reach out to us. As long as we can help, we will do our best.”
