Jamiyah Singapore’s FoodBank remains at the heart of our food support efforts but to bring help even closer to families, we have partnered with local grassroots organisations to introduce Jampacked: a network of mini foodbanks designed to meet communities where they are.
Today, there are three Jampacked centres across the island: in Bukit Batok, Radin Mas, and West Coast, with plans to open more in the future. More than just food distribution points, Jampacked operates as a community minimart for families or individuals with a per capita income (PCI) below $1,000. This allows us to reach a wider group of beneficiaries. Eligible families receive $50 in monthly credits to ‘shop’ for essentials such as fresh produce, rice, noodles, oil, biscuits, premixed instant drinks and toiletries, empowering them to choose what they truly need.
Our Jampacked centres also provide holistic intervention for the residents which includes weekly programmes and activities along with field trips that give eligible beneficiaries the opportunity to experience meaningful events with us. Built on the belief that every family’s circumstances are unique, Jampacked provides dignified, flexible support and motivation while serving as a bridge to the wider community. With Bukit Batok primarily supporting families, West Coast placing emphasis on uplifting women and children, and Radin Mas catering largely to the elderly while still welcoming and serving other households in need in the community. Through these touchpoints, families are also connected to Jamiyah’s other services including family development, medical clinic and referrals.
Ultimately, our mission is not just to provide aid but to help individuals regain independence and move beyond reliance on assistance.
The first Jampacked centre was launched in Bukit Batok on Saturday, 11 September 2021, in response to the growing demand for food assistance within the constituency. To meet this need, Jamiyah Singapore partnered with the Bukit Batok Grassroots Organisations (GROs) to bring this community initiative to life.
The launch was officiated by Special Guest Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, then Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies, together with Mr Murali Pillai, then Advisor to Bukit Batok GROs; Mr Peter Yeo, Chairman of Bukit Batok CCC Community Development & Welfare Fund; and Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Hasbi Abu Bakar, President of Jamiyah Singapore. Officials from Bukit Batok GROs, Jamiyah Singapore, Treasured Donors of Jampacked@Bukit Batok, Community Partners, Friends from the Media and others were also present.
Jampacked@Bukit Batok offers educational and interactive programmes, namely Academic Coaching, Project Lend A Hand (PLAH) and Reading Corner. These programmes are designed to give every child the boost they need to thrive.
Academic Coaching provides face-to-face support in English and Mathematics, helping children build strong foundations and gain confidence. For Primary 6 students, the PLAH programme offers focused PSLE preparation. The Reading Corner provides a cosy, quiet space for children to explore stories and build a love for reading.
Jampacked@Bukit Batok is a centre striving to support families in need.
Blk 188 Bukit Batok West Avenue 6, #01-07, Singapore 650188
Tel: 6993 1539 / 8874 1034
Mon, Tue: 9.30am–12.30pm, 2pm-6pm
Wed: Closed
Thur, Fri: 9.30am–12.30pm, 2pm-6pm
Sat: 9.30am–12.30pm
Sun: Closed
The Jampacked@West Coast centre was officially launched on 7 March 2023, in partnership with West Coast GRC. Serving at least 200 households per month, the centre extends Jamiyah Singapore’s mission to make food and community support more accessible to families in need.
Beyond food assistance, Jampacked@WestCoast has become a lively hub for empowering women and uplifting children. For women, key initiatives include S.U.R.I, a support programme for single mothers, and Daughters of Tomorrow (DOT), which empowers women towards financial independence.
For children, the centre offers enriching activities such as Academic Coaching and KidsRead sessions every Saturday at its mini library, in partnership with the National Library Board (NLB).
Collaborations with community partners have also brought meaningful experiences to beneficiaries, from ForestPlay visits with Oilfield Services & Supplies, to a year-end celebration where Paramount Pictures fulfilled the wishes of 30 children. These community efforts are made possible through strong partnerships with West Coast GRC, Rotary FRCS, SASCO@WestCoast Active Ageing Centre (Care), and the Social Service Office (SSO), reflecting a shared commitment to uplift and empower the community.
Blk 730 Clementi West Street 2, #01-326, Singapore 120730
Tel: 6774 9374 / 8874 1903
Mon, Tue: 9.30am–12.30pm, 2pm-6pm
Wed: Closed
Thur, Fri: 9.30am–12.30pm, 2pm-6pm
Sat: 9.30am–12.30pm
Sun: Closed
The Jampacked@RadinMas centre was officially launched on 3 August 2024, graced by Guest-of-Honour Mr Melvin Yong. Serving at least 300 households, the centre continues Jamiyah Singapore’s mission of extending food and community support to individuals in need.
Beyond providing food assistance, Jampacked@RadinMas serves as a lively hub for residents, offering a range of programmes that bring the community together. For seniors, activities such as TV Time, AI ChatGPT sessions, basic electrical course and bi-monthly Bingo gatherings with MINDS promote social connection and lifelong learning.
For the younger ones, the KidsRead programme encourages the joy of reading and learning through interactive sessions.
This initiative is made possible through the strong collaboration between Radin Mas SMC, MINDS, ITE College West, Radin Mas Primary School, City Sprouts, and the Silver Generation Office, reflecting the spirit of partnership and care that drives the Jampacked movement.
Blk 106 Jalan Bukit Merah, #01-1844, Singapore 160106
Tel: 8874 2519
Mon, Tue: 9.30am–12.30pm, 2pm-6pm
Wed: Closed
Thur, Fri: 9.30am–12.30pm, 2pm-6pm
Sat: 9.30am–12.30pm
Sun: Closed
Since the early 1970s, Jamiyah Singapore has been providing food assistance to about 300 needy families. In 2016, Jamiyah Singapore expanded its food ration distribution programme when it opened the first Muslim-owned Food Bank, called Jamiyah Foodbank, at Tannery Lane.
The 4-storey warehouse Jamiyah Foodbank collects, sorts, stores, and distributes donated food to its’ beneficiaries: the elderly, aged-sick, people with disabilities, low-income and needy families, and the unemployed. The beneficiaries receive a standard package of monthly food items every two months and these items include rice, cooking oil, sugar, instant noodles and other staple food items.
For Jampacked@Bukit Batok, the concept will be different from Jamiyah Foodbank. Jampacked@Bukit Batok houses a Community Minimart, providing donated food and essential items from Jamiyah Singapore’s and Bukit Batok GRO’s community, corporate partners and donations from the public.
Low-income families in the Bukit Batok Constituency will be provided with credits every month, which they can use to ‘purchase’ items from the minimart. Items available at the minimart include fresh food like fruits and vegetables, food staples like rice and noodles, and others like milo, biscuits and also toiletries items.
So, unlike the monthly food ration assistance provided by Jamiyah Foodbank, where beneficiaries receive a standard package of monthly food items every two months, Jampacked@Bukit Batok empowers the beneficiaries to choose and ‘purchase’ items they need from the minimart. Jampacked@BukitBatok recognises that every family is unique with different needs. With this approach, Jampacked@BukitBatok is best able to meet the needs of the families.
Jampacked@Bukit Batok will also be outlining several community engagement programmes such as family development, information, and referral services through Jamiyah Singapore’s headquarters.
Jamiyah Singapore, in collaboration with Bukit Batok Grassroots Organisations (GROs), launched Jampacked@Bukit Batok on Saturday, 11th September 2021.
The launch was officiated by Special Guest Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies together with Mr Murali Pillai, Advisor to Bukit Batok Grassroots Organisations, Mr Peter Yeo, Chairman of Bukit Batok CCC Community Development & Welfare Fund; and Datuk Dr Mohd Hasbi Abu Bakar, President of Jamiyah Singapore. Officials from Bukit Batok Grassroots Organisations and Jamiyah Singapore; Treasured Donors of Jampacked@Bukit Batok; Community Partners; Friends from the Media and others were also present at the launch.
Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam said: “The start (of a project) can be (a chance encounter), but it carries on because of the motivation, empathy and the sense that we are all better off when we are feeling that we are part of one community. (I would like to thank Jamiyah Singapore, Bukit Batok GROs and community partners) for making sure that no one ever feels left out in Singapore.”
While Mr Murali Pillai said in his speech : “The set-up of the food bank through Jampacked@Bukit Batok cements the food and grocery assistance programmes to low-income families at Bukit Batok. We have had a long tradition of support for our Bukit Batok residents, but through a food bank, we are able to involve our residents (at Bukit Batok), which also builds a caring community and allow (both Jamiyah Singapore and Bukit Batok GROs) to help one another…so that we can emerge out of the Covid-19 pandemic stronger together.”
In his address during the launch of the centre, Datuk Dr Mohd Hasbi Abu Bakar, President of Jamiyah Singapore said: “This new enterprise, Jampacked@BukitBatok, a collaborative venture with Bukit Batok Grassroots Organization, is a way of reaching out more effectively to the beneficiaries who reside in this constituency. Together with the Bukit Batok Grassroots Organisations and other existing Social Agencies, we shall maintain our approach of helping the beneficiaries as holistically as possible to eventually enable them to help themselves, and be less reliant on the support of others. In this regard, we plan to roll out programs that our beneficiaries here – both the parents and their school-going children – will benefit from, not merely collecting their regular food rations.”
One of the beneficiaries, Mdm Saliana bte Salleh, 38 year old housewife with 10 children was there with her son to pick out the items for her family. She said: “I was referred by Yayasan Mendaki to Jamiyah Singapore in Oct 2020, for assistance. I have been receiving bi-monthly food rations from Jamiyah from the West Coast Centre. Now I do not have to travel all the way to West Coast to receive the food ration. My house at Bukti Batok is a mere 15-minutes walk to Jampacked@Bukit Batok. And I can choose whatever I need monthly. I also look forward to attending the development programmes with my husband and I will also encourage my schooling children to attend the workshops for them to be academically motivated.”
Blk 188 Bukit Batok West Ave 6 #01-07
Singapore 650188
Tel: 6993 1538/6993 1539
Email: jampacked-bukitbatok@jamiyah.org.sg
Monday – Thursday: 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM, Friday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM & Saturday: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM. Closed on Sundays & Public Holidays.