What I Learnt From Buying For The Needy During COVID-19 Period

On Sunday (5 Apr 2020), I was part of the Food Distribution team under SAKE project. It was our second time doing this event and it was one full of lessons.

Initially when we started to plan for this event, we discussed it way back in January. That was before the spread of COVID-19. We had to changed the date of the event to an earlier one, in case a lockdown happens.

We wanted to give vouchers to all the families due to the guidelines that supermarkets have set. There was just no way for us to buy 15 bags of rice at one go. And at least with vouchers, they can decide what they need to buy. But we were reminded that there were elderly who have limitations in their movements and need help with purchasing groceries. So we had to buy groceries for at least 5 families.

Buying for 5 sets of families was a crazy experience. With number of times I went into the Sheng Shiong near my blk, the staffs there probably thought I was some crazy lady stocking up rice, oil, bee hoon and sardine. In and out. At least twice a day. I don’t mind it at all actually. I mean, shopping is always fun. Even if it is at the supermarket. Crazy but not that bad. Even with the guidelines set.

The worst part came in when on Friday (3 Apr 2020). It was announced that our Prime Minister will be giving a speech at 4pm. That was when everything kind of crumble and the nation started panic buying.

I raced to my Sheng Shiong and saw the long, winding queue. My heart sank. There was no way I can compete with that crowd. I went home and watched our Prime Minister gave his speech. I was very down. I am left with 3 sets to complete. But knowing the piranhas out there, will I be able to get what I need for the families on Sunday?

I did eventually get everything I needed for the families after visiting a few NTUCs and again Sheng Shiong with the help of my project partner. But the one thing that really stuck in my mind the whole time was the devastation that panic buying caused.

I almost cried looking at empty shelves where bags of rice or bottles of oil used to be. Seriously? I started to think of families and felt even worse.

Imagine yourself in the position of those in need. What if they waited so long to have their pay? And happened that their pay came in on that faithful day. And they were so looking forward to buy their groceries at the supermarket and lo and behold, there is nothing for them to buy. What to eat tonight and over the weekend? Even the eggs were gone!

Sure, there are still some bags of rice or bottles of oil here and there. But those are the expensive ones. And there is no way that they can buy those without blowing their budget.

They should have stocked up, you say.

Sorry, not everyone has that luxury. Not everyone can go to supermarkets and panic buy. Not everyone has the means to stock up.

It is a sad and very real situation. As most of us are busy panic buying, we forget that there are people who are just there to get supplies simply for day because that is what they have enough for. We forget that there is someone who may need those rice, oil or eggs more than us. We totally forget that a little empathy goes such a long way.

I have to salute not only doctors, nurses, teachers but also all the staffs at these supermarket, security guards and all those people who are working tirelessly to ensure that everything runs smoothly and efficiently. To all the charity organisations, which have been providing for the families in need regardless where or when. These are the people that we should honour and support because without them, where will our community be?

Let's us learn to be kinder to people around us and work together to fight COVID-19 together.

#stayathome

#sgunited

P.S. If you like to contribute or collaborate with us on S.A.K.E Project, do visit the link here or contact us at iadesignselegance@gmail.com