{
  "id": 2299185,
  "title": "Over 3,000 lower-income residents to get free warm meals in nearby food lockers under new programme",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/over-3-000-lower-income-residents-to-get-free-warm-meals-in-nearby-2299185",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-21T04:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Channel News Asia",
    "slug": "channel-news-asia",
    "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/free-warm-meals-food-lockers-lower-income-6331931"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "More than 3,000 lower-income residents across three neighborhoods will receive free warm meals through food lockers in Singapore starting September, as part of a new programme called Warm Meals @ North East. The initiative, launched on Aug 21 by the North East Community Development Council (CDC) and OCBC, aims to assist 1,000 households in Tampines, Punggol, and Pasir Ris-Changi towns. Each participating household will receive S$500 (US$393) in meal credits, which can be redeemed at about 30 food lockers located near HDB rental blocks. Diverse menu options, including dishes like spaghetti with roasted chicken and stir-fried chicken udon, are provided by Chang Cheng Group and are halal-certified. The meals are designed to cater to various tastes and dietary needs. OCBC and North East CDC will fund the programme with a combined S$500,000, supported by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF). The programme aims to address the concerns of residents who struggle to access nutritious food due to practical challenges like caregiving responsibilities or irregular work schedules.",
  "summary": "The menu will be rotated regularly to provide variety and will cater to diverse tastes and dietary needs, say North East CDC and OCBC.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "CNA - Singapore",
        "title": "Over 3,000 lower-income residents to get free warm meals in nearby food lockers under new programme",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/over-3-000-lower-income-residents-to-get-free-warm-meals-in-nearby",
        "published": "2026-08-21T04:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}