Welfare Services

Many of the families MWS serves are households from the bottom 10 per cent income group who struggle with the costs of daily living

As Singapore battles the COVID-19 outbreak, new measures are being introduced throughout the country at quick succession to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Almost overnight, Singaporeans find ourselves living a new reality with many working, learning or staying in touch remotely.

But for the vulnerable who have limited financial resources, the impact of COVID-19 is devastating. Many low-income families rely on part-time jobs or do work that cannot be handled remotely, and the closure of physical workplaces or non-essential services means a drastic fall in income or even a loss of livelihood. Some do not have the option of working from home. These families may be forced to choose between putting food on the table and keeping themselves and their families safe.

With schools moving to full home-based learning, some of these parents are also concerned that their children may fall behind as they are unable to supervise their children adequately. Seniors, especially those who live alone, may experience decline in their mental health as all social and health programmes in the community and at senior activity centres have been suspended.

In celebration of MCS’s 135th anniversary, Methodist Welfare Services (MWS) had organised the Eat Share Connect movement, a communal dining outreach to bless the community, and had encouraged table fellowship.

Even though physical interactions are no longer possible with today’s safe distancing measures, let us not allow a pandemic to stop us from being the Church that Christ has called us to be—to reflect His love for those in need.

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink… the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” (Matt 25:35–40, ESV)

The COVID-19 situation that we are currently in has resulted in extreme anxiety within the community. Distressed and lowincome families may be facing more hardship when they earn less during this time or when they lose their livelihoods, aggravating already trying circumstances. Having little to no savings will likely cause them to experience more stress and go into debt.

Please donate generously to provide financial assistance to 1,000 low-income families from the bottom 10 per cent income group. These funds will support them in meeting their basic needs, and helping them have the resources to better prepare for and handle the direct impact on their lives brought about by COVID-19. We hope to raise $1.35m by Nov 2020 to bless each family with $1,350 over one year. MWS is only processing the donations for tax exemption. 100 per cent of the funds raised will go DIRECTLY to support families in need.

Let’s stand together with the struggling families in our community!

Make a difference with a donation that will be used to better the lives of vulnerable groups. We are appealing for either a regular contribution of $1 a day ($30 monthly), or a one-time contribution of $1,350 or any other amount that can bless a family in need. Every dollar matters.

Visit https://www.giving.sg/methodist

or scan the QR code to donate.