SINGAPORE - To mark the Chinese New Year next month, the Community Chest will distribute over 6,700 festive goodie bags to seniors and families in need.

These bags are called "fu dai" - the Chinese term for "bags of blessings and joy".

They contain various essential household and food items, including staples like canned food, sauces, and instant-mix drinks.

This is the eighth year that the Community Chest has organised such an effort.

This year's initiative was co-organised with volunteer group Heartwarmers.

It involved over 500 volunteers, who packed the bags over three days, from Thursday (Jan 28) to Saturday at the Arena  @  Our Tampines Hub.

Mr Foo Say Thye, who led the effort for Community Chest, said: "While Covid-19 has brought about uncertainties and new challenges, it has also presented us with new opportunities to support the less fortunate amongst us."

Thanking the corporate partners, donors and community for their role in making the fu dai initiative a success, he said they have helped make a profound difference in the lives of those facing challenges.

Mr Ian Peterson, the north-west cluster director of Family and Community Services at Care Corner Singapore, said: "We are truly appreciative of the community efforts in sending these bundles of happiness to our social service users despite trying times."

Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli on Saturday kick-started the delivery of the festive bags, alongside Mr Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development, and Ms Sun Xue Ling, Minister of State for Education and Social and Family Development.

Mr Masagos also delivered festive bags from the packing site at Arena @ OTH to families in his Tampines ward.

The Community Chest on Saturday also announced that it has raised more than $2 million for the fu dai giving programme.

The money will be used to support over 80 social service agencies linked to the Community Chest.

Donors include Standard Chartered Bank, telecommunications company Telstra Singapore, skincare brand MTM and luxury goods reseller LuxLexicon.