Despite being a gourmet paradise with Michelin-starred restaurants, it is difficult to believe that some families in Singapore still struggle to afford meals. Chin Bottinelli strives to challenge this unsettling reality. As a board member of the charity organisation Food from the Heart, it has been her mission to change that narrative.
“Our country is well-known for its affluence, and much has been written about our high standard of living, world-class hotels, and fine restaurants. And yet, amidst all the wealth and prosperity, there are many Singaporean families whose basic needs are not being met,” she says.
“Food as a resource is unevenly distributed everywhere in the world. It is a human right to have access to nutritious food sources, yet the poor and vulnerable often go hungry; at the same time, perfectly edible and good food is being thrown away.”
Helping to alleviate hunger and food wastage is Food from the Heart (FFTH), an independent charity founded in 2003 by Singapore-based Austrian couple Henry and Christine Laimer. After reading an article about bread wastage, they were inspired to channel surplus food from bakeries to needy families. Although the founders returned to Austria in 2011, FFTH has continued the couple’s legacy and is celebrating its 20th anniversary.
Today, the organisation has taken on a life of its own, working with grassroots organisations and welfare homes to provide consistent and reliable food support to the less fortunate through various food distribution programmes. Its beneficiaries include low-income individuals and families who are residents of welfare homes and families whose monthly per capita income typically falls below $690.
FFTH is also supported by a committee of board members, such as Chin, who are recognised individuals in their respective fields and professions. “Our combined competencies, experience and network steer the strategic direction and sustainable growth of the organisation,” she says.
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It is no small feat to serve more than 59,300 beneficiaries monthly. FFTH has a team of 22 passionate and committed individuals who ensure the smooth running of its daily operations. Working closely with an “army” of thousands of volunteers, they ensure that every beneficiary receives food support promptly. Through the support of donors and food industry partners, FFTH distributed $7.23 million worth of food in 2022.
Chin gives us an overview of what a day at FFTH is like. “The on-ground team starts their day at 8am. The warehouse gets lively from 9.30am when volunteers come in to help with food sorting and packing; over 50 volunteers come through our doors daily,” she adds.
“Our logistics team delivers food packs to distribution points, such as schools and Family Service Centres, then collects food donations from supermarkets and other corporations to bring back to the FFTH warehouse in Joo Seng. Other teams, such as programme management, fundraising and communications, work with our stakeholders like community partners, donors, volunteers and advocates.”
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A former advertising executive, Chin is more known as the face behind home furnishings company Asiatique Collections, which closed its Dempsey outlet in 2018. Now in storage, the chic lifestyle pieces find their way to the occasional pop-up event. These days, Chin is juggling parenting three young children with her role as a director at Imagine Capital, a family office dealing with asset, property and corporate management. Meanwhile, her husband, Oliviero Bottinelli, holds a position on the board of directors at Audemars Piguet.
This year’s Passion Ball, held on April 29, was attended by National Development Minister Desmond Lee and had a special performance by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra
This year’s Passion Ball, held on April 29, was attended by National Development Minister Desmond Lee and had a special performance by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra Joining FFTH’s board in 2013, Chin has been highly engaged in fundraising efforts. She has played a significant role in events like the main fundraising gala, the Passion Ball, and the upcoming Charity Golf Tournament on Sept 15 at Singapore Island Country Club.
Here, she shares with Options why Food from the Heart stole her heart and the importance of philanthropy for everyone.
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Zero wastage is extremely important, don’t you think?
I consider this very important, and it should become a social responsibility for all of us. However, it is a process that cannot happen overnight or be enforced; every little step makes a difference. I am always mindful of living more sustainably, and the motto I practise with my family is ‘discard less and reuse more’.
To address the societal and environmental issues caused by increasing food wastage nationally, FFTH helps improve access to food and advocates ending each meal with a clean plate.
Why did you choose FFTH to become a board member of all the charity organisations?
Previously, I had been involved in various charities, mainly through their fundraising events. However, FFTH struck a deep chord with me, and I realised I wanted to devote more time and energy to this cause.
In 2010, when I first found out about the work that Food from the Heart does, I was so upset to learn that so many children in our country go to school hungry because their parents struggle to provide three meals a day. I found this very difficult to accept, so FFTH’s mission to alleviate hunger resonated with me. It has become a personal mission to make a difference in this area.
Why is charity work so important to you?
Philanthropy is important to me for several reasons. First and foremost, it gives me a deep sense of purpose and fulfilment. I feel strongly that when we get involved in causes that help others and care passionately about, we learn to look beyond ourselves and are enriched in the process. Many people consider philanthropy only benefiting the beneficiaries, but I disagree because of how much it enriches donors’ lives! It forces us to step outside our comfort zone, look beyond our ‘bubble’, and see how to improve the world. Helping to do something meaningful for others helps me to add meaning to my own life. It is, without a doubt, a two-way street.
Philanthropy also addresses important social challenges and helps to bridge the gaps in our communities: Reducing socio-economic disparities, improving lives, and making a difference for those from disadvantaged circumstances. When we invest a part of ourselves in the community that we live in, not only are we giving back, but we are also paying it forward. By lifting others, we also build networks, strengthen relationships and lay a foundation for our future generation. This spirit of unity and togetherness is powerful and essential to build a more empathetic, caring and compassionate sense of home. This is the ‘kampung spirit’ that my parents grew up with and my siblings and I benefited greatly from.
Is supporting charities crucial for individuals in positions of power or influence?
I believe philanthropy should be practised by anyone who can help in any way that they can to make a difference. This is one of the key foundations of any civilised society. We all have a vested interest in our community, so we all have a part to play to make it the best it can be for ourselves, our families and future generations. Fundamentally, philanthropy plays a vital role in any society and helps to create a better and more equitable world for us all to enjoy.
Philanthropy can take various forms, such as volunteering time or effort, donating money or in-kind goods and services, whatever a person chooses to contribute, as long as it makes a positive difference for others. I do believe that people of influence or power have an advantage in terms of accessibility and networks that help to multiply their efforts and make the sum greater than its parts. And I feel that with that advantage also comes greater responsibility and obligation.
Do you involve your family and networks in your charity efforts?
My husband is not a board member of FFTH, but he is very passionate about this cause. We bring our whole family along for almost all the FFTH events, such as food drives or the Toy Buffet, so my kids can learn about the cause and help out. I’m proud to say that my 10-year-old daughter has become a strong advocate for FFTH and, together with her classmates and school, participates actively in the food donation drives.
Through my husband’s involvement with Audemars Piguet (AP), the company has supported FFTH since 2012 as a main sponsor for the Passion Ball. AP has also supported the Charity Golf Tournament since it launched in 2017 and was the main sponsor last year. AP’s staff also volunteer regularly with food packing at the FFTH warehouse as part of their corporate social responsibility efforts.
Aside from holding fundraising events, how else do you raise funds for FFTH?
Beyond fundraising, raising resources by connecting like-minded friends and their skills to help FFTH are also valuable. This is often in the form of donated skills and experience that can help FFTH improve its efforts. For instance, linking friends with digital marketing expertise to share their insights and skills to help FFTH with its marketing strategies.
What aspirations or goals do you have for the organisation?
Its beneficiaries’ struggles and challenges fuel FFTH’s unwavering commitment to making a real difference in their lives. They always come first. We know that while improving food access is critical, it is also important that the food received is healthy, nutritious and respectful of the needs of our beneficiaries. So, a key issue we are focusing on now is improving the nutritional value of the food we provide while also continuing to understand and adapt to the evolving needs of our beneficiaries.
What will you be working on next?
The FFTH Charity Golf Tournament will be held this month, and soon after, we will be busy planning the Passion Ball 2024, which will be held on April 27 next year. Please save the date!
We’re also bringing back the Toy Buffet at the end of this year, which will reach an estimated 3,000 underprivileged children. At the carnival-like event, kids are treated to toys and snacks and can have fun at many game booths. It is a highly-anticipated event by donors, volunteers and the kids. It’s our way of sending a message of hope and love to the less fortunate children in our community.
Food distribution programmes
Bread Run (started February 2003)
Over 13,000 people receive bread that would otherwise have been wasted each month. In 2022, 1,700 volunteers did 14,819 bread runs, collected an estimated $2 million worth of unsold bread from 109 bakeries and hotels, and delivered to 198 distribution points.
Community Food Pack (started June 2003)
Food from the Heart collaborates with grassroots organisations, family service centres, senior activity centres and NGOs to extend aid to those in need in Singapore’s heartlands. Their Community Food Pack initiative supplies more than 12 non-perishable items, including nutritious extras like bread, fresh eggs, fruits, and vegetables. Through 96 distribution points, FFTH supports 12,000 families monthly.
School Goodie Bag (started June 2004)
To provide a level starting ground for students from underprivileged backgrounds, this programme helps give children better nourishment during their developmental years. Currently, 6,772 beneficiaries from 43 schools are supported under this programme. Each bag comprises rice, cooking oil, canned food, milk, eggs, oats and more, valued at $60.
Project Belanja! (started January 2019)
Project Belanja! is a food redemption programme for beneficiaries who cannot cook or have no time. Using a QR code through a custom-built app, they can redeem a hot meal from the current list of 39 participating hawker stalls. So far, 34,547 meals have been redeemed in 2022.
Market Place (started April 2015)
Maximising its unique position within the community as a food redistributor, Food from the Heart launched Market Place, collaborating with NTUC FairPrice to collect packaging-damaged, near-expiry food items for redistribution. With the support of 110 NTUC FairPrice outlets and other food suppliers, perfectly edible food has been redistributed to over 20 welfare homes, needy families, and individuals.
For more information, visit www.foodfromtheheart.sg.
