A food stall at Toa Payoh Block 7 hawker center has become locally known for providing free meals to elderly and needy residents alongside its affordable food options.
Chen Ming Zhu, 74, has operated the Lai Heng Mixed Rice stall at the hawker center since 2005.
She walks from her nearby home to open her stall at 6 or 7 AM every day, a routine she has maintained for almost 20 years.
Chen said many charitable individuals sometimes come to pack multiple mixed rice meals for elderly residents. She often declines when the quantity requested is too large due to staffing and resource limitations.
“There are even two or three good Samaritans who occasionally contribute one or two hundred dollars, allowing me to provide free meals to those in need,” Chen stated.
Being familiar with the neighborhood, Chen identifies which elderly or low-income residents require assistance. When she sees these familiar faces, she uses the donations to provide them with meals.
“Last year, someone wanted to leave money at my stall to pay for meals. I asked him to wait until a previous sponsor’s donation was used up, and after Chinese New Year, he brought $200,” Chen said.
She also recalled someone leaving $500 at her stall without providing their name to her assistant while Chen was running errands.
In the evenings when closing her stall, Chen sometimes distributes unsold food to nearby residents in need.
“If the donations happen to be used up when I meet neighbors who need help, I don’t charge them either,” she explained.
Recently, fewer people have needed meal subsidies due to government support through Community Development Council vouchers and Toa Payoh East’s “CLAP” (Cost of Living Assistance Programme) shopping vouchers.
“A few regular customers haven’t come recently. I wonder if they’re doing well. I’m a bit worried about their situation,” Chen said.
