Food • Family • Fun
美食 • 家庭 • 欢乐
Date: 1 August 2010 (Sunday)
Time: 8.30am - 5pm
Venue: Ren Ci Community Hospital
71 Irrawaddy Road Singapore 329562
Thanks to the concerted efforts of over 300 volunteers and fervent support of the 2000-strong turnout, the 8th Ren Ci Vegetarian Food Fiesta held on 1 August 2010 raised a total of about $350,000 (unaudited figure, including outright donations and donations-in-kind), exceeding its fundraising target by 40%.
Despite heavy rainfall in the early morning, the spirit of staff and volunteers were not the least dampened. Coming from all walks of life, staff and volunteers worked hand-in-hand as one big family, ensuring that each and every stall is ready to open by 8.30am. Afterall, this year’s fundraising carnival has been aptly themed “Food • Family • Fun”, to emphasize the importance of family bonding through the festive celebration of food and fun.
The encouraging boost in philanthropy and support for this year’s event is also evident. Besides a significant jump in the number of stalls from 40 last year to 61 this year, the number of new corporate participants also hit an all-time high, with organisations such as Crystal Jade Culinary Concepts Ltd, Greentea Packaging Pte Ltd, Happy Realm Vegetarian Food Centre, Ho Bee Group, Lee Kum Kee, Teckwah Industrial Corporation Ltd and Unicurd Food Company Pte Ltd, involving themselves in the event for the very first time.
Commenting on such remarkable support for the event, Acting Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, Mr Lui Tuck Yew, who was the Guest-of-Honour, said, "Certainly for Ren Ci, the public has regained confidence. I want to credit not only the management, but also chairman Mr Chua Thian Poh. Over the last three years, he has helped to rebuild Ren Ci Hospital and regain the trust of the public. I know the public is fully supportive of the work that it does. And you certainly can see that in terms of the fundraising efforts."
Besides the wide gastronomic selection of savory vegetarian cuisines, there were also countless exciting activities happening around the hospital premise throughout the day, including a creative fashion show catwalked by senior citizens, a fun-filled cookie-decorating workshop, a cooking demonstration by Chef William from Shatec, live song performances by singers from Echo Music, massage services by TCM physicians, among others.
在大约300名义工的鼎力支持和齐心协力的付出下，吸引近2000人到访的第八届《仁慈素食会》于2010年8月1日成功筹集到大约35万元的善款（未经审计数据，并包括直接捐款和捐赠物总计）。这个数目比活动原先设定的25万元目标超出了近四成之多！
尽管当天清晨下起了倾盆大雨，义工和职员们的士气一点儿都不受影响。来自各行各业的朋友们一早就到达现场，像似一个大家庭般地携手合作，不分你我，为个别摊位进行最后的准备工作，并成功赶在早晨8点半准时开业。毕竟，本届素食会的主题设定为“美食、家庭、欢乐”，就是希望能借着现场的美食和欢愉的气氛，让大家感染到“家”的温暖。
今年的仁慈素食会在很多层面上，确实取得了振奋人心的成果。除了摊位总数明显地从去年的40 摊飙升至本届的61摊外，首次参与这项年度筹款活动的善心机构，也创下历年来最多的一次纪录，其中包括翡翠餐饮集团、绿茶包装私人有限公司、素食林、和美集团、李锦记、德华工业以及统一食品有限公司等。
对于活动取得如此热烈的反应，大会主宾 - 新闻、通讯及艺术部高级政务部长吕德耀先生表示：“对仁慈而言，公众确实恢复了信心。这不只是归功于管理层的努力，更要感谢主席蔡天宝先生。在过去三年里，他协助重建仁慈医院，让它重获公众的信任。我知道公众对仁慈所作的一切都会全力支持。而这能够从筹款活动的反应看得出来。”
除了垂涎三尺的美味素肴外，素食会现场还安排了一连串精彩的活动，让朋友们尽情享乐，譬如：由乐龄人士呈现的趣味时装秀、创意饼干点缀班、专业的烹饪示范、自弹自唱的歌舞表演、中医推拿服务、等。