A food stall at Toa Payoh Block 7 hawker center has gained local fame not only for its affordable and delicious meals but also for the owner’s kindness in providing free meals to elderly and needy residents in the neighbourhood.
Quiet Generosity Through Community Support
Chen Ming Zhu (name transliterated from Mandarin), 74, has been running 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 daily, maintaining this routine for nearly two decades.
Chen revealed that many kind-hearted individuals occasionally come to pack dozens of mixed rice meals for elderly residents.
However, she typically declines when the quantity is too large as she fears she cannot handle it with her limited staff and resources.
“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,” she said.
Familiar with the neighbourhood, Chen knows which elderly or low-income residents need assistance.
When she meets familiar faces who need help, she uses the donations from kind-hearted sponsors to treat them to meals.
Community Bonds and Continued Support
“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 recalled.
She also remembers someone leaving $500 at her stall long ago without telling her assistant their name. She was out running errands at the time and still doesn’t know who donated the meal money.
Sometimes in the evenings when closing her stall, Chen 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, showing her commitment to supporting her community beyond just managing the donations.
Recent Changes in Community Needs
Recently, with the government distributing Community Development Council vouchers and Toa Payoh East’s “CLAP” (Cost of Living Assistance Programme) shopping vouchers, many vulnerable and lower-middle-income residents have been using these vouchers first.
Chen noted that fewer people have needed meal subsidies lately due to these support measures.
“A few regular customers haven’t come recently. I wonder if they’re doing well. I’m a bit worried about their situation,” she said.
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