We don’t want to be Negative Nancy, but we really cannot emphasise enough how COVID-19 has affected the F&B industry here in Singapore.
At the beginning of the circuit breaker, we covered how we could do our part to help the gastronomic community whilst staying at home. Now that Phase 2 has kicked in and we can dine out in a maximum capacity of five per table (try not to have more than one table of friends, folks!), we’re seeing new initiatives to help the community while we’re out and about again.
Enter Hi5SG, a non-profit dining campaign that champions the positive loop of giving back amongst restaurants, consumers and underprivileged communities. The campaign is driven from the same team of #savefnbsg, an independent restaurant coalition that was initiated during the circuit breaker.
From September 2020 to January 2021, local F&B businesses of all sorts –heritage spots, new diners, virtual dining concepts, Michelin-starred restaurants and more — are banding together to support one another, as well as those in need.
They will be rolling out special Hi5SG dining experiences themed around the number five, such as five-dollar dishes and drinks, 55-percent discounts and S$55 set menus. A play on the current five-pax dining rule, Hi5SG aims to support business recovery while honouring the need for safe distancing.
Some establishments diners can look forward to include Grammi, an online restaurant by created by award-winning Michelin chef Beppe De Vito and bars like Smoke & Mirrors.
As a result of a deepening recession and the ongoing pandemic, the underprivileged communities in Singapore are also grappling with an increasing number of obstacles in their daily lives.
This is why apart from supporting these local businesses, Hi5SG aims to raise a total of S$300,000 for its official beneficiary: =DREAMS. The sister organisation of the South Central Community (SCC) Family Service Centre, =DREAMS is a residential-based intensive educational program for underprivileged youths in the secondary and pre-university age-group.
Most of these youths come from families who reside in HDB rental flats and live off low income with little to no financial support. The program aims to empower each of them into becoming independent, self-confident individuals by providing them with an environment to flourish into contributing members of the community despite their vulnerable backgrounds.
Part of the proceeds from the Hi5SG experiences will go to the charity, with selected restaurants doing their parts equally by providing a matching donation even amidst tough times.
All donations will go towards the work of =DREAMS and any unused funds will be channelled towards work with helping children by SCC or other charities.
For more information about the participating brands and promotional activities, head to the Hi5SG website here.
Jocelyn Tan
Senior Writer
Jocelyn Tan is a travel, food and design writer who loves to explore lesser-known cities abroad and chat with locals about their favourite eats in town. When she's not writing, she's probably indulging in serial killer podcasts or reading one too many books on East Asian history.
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