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Companies in Asia still donating to charity despite economic downturn
Channel NewsAsia - 2 hours 42 minutes ago
SINGAPORE : Companies in Asia are still donating to charity, despite the current downturn hitting bottom lines.
But industry experts expect cutbacks in charity—giving if turbulence in the market persists.
Still, some companies said there are other ways to help — and it is not always about the bottom line.
Singapore supermarket chain NTUC FairPrice has not only been serving shoppers, but contributing to charities for a number of years.
An example of this is a donation of S$2 million to the NTUC Eldercare programme to help build a social day—care centre.
S$100,000 was also donated to the Pupil Breakfast Scheme to ensure that more needy students are able to start their school day with a breakfast.
And NTUC FairPrice said it will continue the practice despite the current slowdown — something that other Asian companies are also doing for now.
Bob Flemming, adjunct professor, NUS Business School, said: "I really think the gift giving and activities here in Asia are still strong, it is in the culture..."
Coffee chain Starbucks is doing its part for charity by raising funds for The Salvation Army.
For the longer term, it is also planning to donate one million man hours to work for charities by 2015. For example, in Singapore, Starbucks employees will be spending time volunteering with the Salvation Army, and working with children at the Pathlight School.
Jeff Miller, managing director, Starbucks Coffee, Singapore, said: "Giving back to our communities has always been part of who we are as a company, and I do not see that ever changing, regardless of the environment.
"The terrible irony is that just when people need us, the Salvation Army and organisations that work for the community...those donations are in jeopardy because people are watching what they give."
But companies said charity—giving does not only have to be about spending money.
Giving time could be another option.
Professor Flemming said: "I think very definitely giving people time to work with the charities is not a bad way to go at all, it is probably not as efficient as making sure the charity has the cash, but it certainly does help."
Industry observers tell Channel NewsAsia that giving time to charities could come in the form of sacrificing your weekends to volunteer — working with the charities and helping them in their day—to—day activities — or assisting in further developing their current projects. — CNA/ms
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