Singapore, 18 December 2008

Salesforce.com Singapore was invited to host a Christmas party with Care Corner (Queenstown) through Food from the Heart, a good friend and committed partner of the Foundation. This Christmas party was organized and supported fully by Salesforce.com employees.

With the economic downturn and rising food prices, it was a trying time for many families with limited financial ability and there was an increased demand for request of food items deliveries for Food from the Heart (FFTH). This is one of the many services where FFTH provides in which they pack and deliver unsold bread and pastries from participating bakeries to needy families. During the festive seasons, they try to extend an additional helping hand to bring festive cheers to these disadvantaged groups by partnering corporations to organize a simple Christmas party for them.

Part of the celebrations includes a food hamper which contains daily necessities with a few festive good items thrown in just to celebrate the seasons. We gave out a total of 40 food hampers benefiting about 140 individuals and every food hamper is personally sponsored by an employee.  We had overwhelming response from the employees when the appeal went out such that we had more pledges than what was needed.

On 18 December, about 15 employees descended on Care Corner to prepare for the party. Some helped with the packing of the food items, others assisted as food servers and we had our very own Father Christmas, gamely volunteered by Srinivasa B. Ramachandra, Customer Success Manager. Volunteers also helped in the food and toys distributions at the end of the evening. It was a great experience for the volunteers to be in touch with the beneficiaries and able to see where and who their donations are going to.