Stuff’d Founder Explains Why He’s Doing A Free Food Programme For Poor Kids

By
Boon Hun
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Stuff’d is an exceptionally successful Mexican-Turkish food chain in Singapore.

Image: tripadvisor.sg

Pass by any of their outlets and you’ll see a long queue during the evenings when people get off work.

But they’re not just in the business of selling food.

They’re Giving Out Free Food Too

If you’re under 14 and you can’t afford to eat, that is.

Stuff’d started a free food programme giving out food to needy kids back in April 2019 in their Yishun outlet.

And five months later, the programme was expanded to four other outlets:

  • North: Northpoint
  • East: White Sands
  • West: Jurong Point
  • Central: Bugis Junction

It was heartwarming and touching, but many people were wondering, why?

Is it a marketing gimmick? Did the founder want to show off his newfound wealth? Is it yet another Corporate Social Responsibility initiative done by people who don’t really care?

Well, on 9 Nov 2019, Stuff’d founder, Adrian Ang, went on the record with CNA to explain his reasons.

It’s None Of The Above

Growing up, Adrian Ang was no stranger to food deprivation.

His parents were hit hard by the Asian recession back in 1997 and the family had no money for food.

He could remember always being hungry.

For a year, when his classmates go to the canteen for recess, he’ll pretend to sleep.

Every day, he has two slices of bread which he’ll keep until midday, and he’ll drink water to fill his stomach up.

If he’s lucky, there’ll be kaya too.

His bout of food deprivation lasted for a year but he has never forgotten the feeling of abject hunger, even until today.

Making It Easy For Kids To Ask For Help

At the age of 37 and the boss of his own food chain, he wanted to help other kids like him.

He knew how hard it could be to ask for help. When his friends found out about his situation, they asked why he didn’t tell them.

They could’ve offered him food during that year.

Which is why he and his team made sure that it’s easy to get into the programme.

Kids can reach out to them through social media or email, and the team will get in touch with them

They’ll get back to the kids with a phone call, asking a few questions.

Some of the criteria they’re looking out for includes whether the kids are:

  • Living in a rental flat
  • Already on some form of government or school assistance

A physical card will be mailed to the kids if they are placed into the programme, which they can then use to redeem their free meal at any time of the day at participating outlets.

And not just that. The kids can choose any item on the menu.

“We’ll Continue until We Can’t.”

Giving free food to kids is an ambitious project, especially when you want to bring it out on a wider scale.

But that doesn’t faze Adrian Ang and his team.

When asked if they’re worried about people taking advantage of the programme, but he merely replied that they want to do it the kinder way.

The kinder way allows you to help more people.

And is it a sustainable business?

The folks at Stuff’d don’t know.

But one thing for sure, they’ll “learn as they go”. And the free food programme will “continue until they can’t” afford to do so.

Well said. *Crying manly tears*

How To Apply:

All you need to do is just slide into their DMs on their Instagram @stuffedsg, or email them at [email protected].

Answer a few gentle questions and they will send you a card that you can use to claim free food daily.

That’s right, daily.

Needless to say, only use this if you know you need it.

For the rest of us, the best way to support this initiative is to support the Stuff’d business by buying their food.

Over in TikTok, there’s a drama involving property agents that’s caused by us. Here’s what happened:

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Boon Hun
Email: [email protected]
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