We’veseen such scenes often: Needy families lining up for a bag of daily necessi-组卷网

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We’ve seen such scenes often: Needy families lining up for a bag of daily necessities—dry foodstuff, cooking essentials, basic toiletries (化妆品). But Foo Say Thye, 56-year-old co-founder of local volunteer group Heart warmers, observed one common occurrence at these donation drives: Whenever beneficiaries (受益者) receive the bags, most would seem shy and unwilling to talk and would leave the venue almost immediately.

Mk realized that it is important not just to meet the physical needs of beneficiaries, but also consider their mental and emotional state as well. Foo Say Thye said that he wanted to take such goodie bag distribution a step further. That’s why the group came up with Project 100=50.

“When we give bags of groceries to families, these are default (默认) items donated by the organizers. Project 100=50 allows participants to choose whatever they need and what they actually want,” says Say Thye.

Project 100=50 is a community service event that supports low-to middle-income families by creating a “mini supermarket” where beneficiaries can choose to buy what they need at highly discounted prices. It partners with local supermarket group Sheng Siong, which supplies these groceries to Heartwarmers at a special rate.

Discounts are either capped (限额收取) at 50% if beneficiaries spend $100 or less or at $50 if they spend more than §100. Say Thye explains, “Providing them with a choice on what to get at reduced prices raises their self-esteem and self-confidence. It also promotes self-help when beneficiaries can start to pay for their own necessities.”

Every month, different Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) select low-to middle-income families who don’t qualify for financial assistance from the Government or agencies to attend Project 100=50 events. Different GRCs use different criteria to choose the beneficiaries.

Volunteer Tan Jun An, 21, says that these ‘‘sandwiched” families are stuck in between categories. “Like my own family, we are stuck in between. You’re neither rich nor poor,” he says. “Because you don’t fall in any other group, you cannot receive any benefits. So, this project helps the ‘sandwiched’”.

【小题1】What is the function of the first paragraph?