Singapore: A group of elderly men has reportedly been eating leftovers at in People’s Park Food Centre, as reported by Shin Min Daily News on Wednesday (18 September).

According to tips from readers, these elderly men have been spotted scavenging for food at the bustling food centre in Chinatown.

Witnesses noted that they not only take unfinished meals from tables but also search the dish return area for additional leftovers.

Several hawkers reported seeing multiple elderly individuals, including one specific man, frequently visiting the food centre to collect leftovers, although they were unaware of their identities and living situations.

A Chinese food hawker, who has worked there for over ten years, noted that at least three or four scavengers come daily, usually around 8 or 9 PM, and sometimes kind customers buy food for them.

Another stall assistant, Ms Ma, observed that diners often leave their tables, allowing the older man to sit down and eat the leftovers directly.

Cleaner Mr Quan mentioned that while he has seen the man taking food left by others, he has also witnessed him buying his own meals, suggesting he is not in dire financial need.

Additionally, Quan noted that these scavengers typically arrive around 10 AM and leave in the afternoon.

One Elderly Man Interviewed Attributes Leftover Eating Habit to Waste Prevention, Not Financial Struggles

Among the scavengers is Mr Wang, an 84-year-old resident of Bedok, who emphasised that he doesn’t want to waste food.

He told reporter, “I have a home and children, but it’s very lively here, so I come every day and go home in the evening.”

He acknowledged his habit of eating leftovers, stating, “It’s not because I lack money; I simply don’t want to waste food.”

He explained, “Some people order a lot and can’t finish it; sometimes a whole fish is left uneaten. ”

“When I see large plates of leftover food, I think it’s a waste, so I take it to eat, and it’s still warm,” he said, adding that other scavengers respect each other’s space and enjoy their own finds.

Not everyone supports the practice of scavenging for leftovers. Daniel Tay, a retired financial advisor and advocate for freeganism, expressed concerns about the potential dangers of consuming discarded food.

He pointed out that it’s often unclear how long the food has been left out or if it has been contaminated by animals or pests, which could lead to food poisoning.

“It’s extremely unhygienic. Diners might throw away food or toss used napkins into it, contaminating it further. If a diner gets sick, such as with the flu or COVID-19, they could pass the virus to someone eating the leftovers,” he warned.

Tay suggested a more proactive approach, encouraging people to ask diners if they can take home any uneaten food, which would help ensure the food is clean and raise awareness about food waste.

Netizens Urge Agencies to Address Challenges Faced by Elderly Amid Rising Living Costs

Comments on Shin Min’s Facebook page reveal that many netizens suspect the elderly men scavenging for food may be facing significant challenges and are urging relevant agencies to reach out to understand their situations.

Some are questioning whether the rising cost of living in Singapore is prompting individuals to resort to drastic measures to save money.

One netizen commented, “Every family has its own difficulties; who hasn’t faced storms and hardships? If you see an elderly person, please invite him to a meal. After all, we will all grow old one day. Whether it’s a blessing or a curse, only heaven and earth know. I believe that Singaporeans who see him will definitely invite him to a meal.”

Discussion on Singapore’s Hardwarezone forum also highlighted that many have witnessed similar situations, indicating that this issue is not new.

One netizen speculated that some elderly individuals might be facing mental health challenges. The user shared observation of an elderly woman in Little India who regularly collects cardboard and sells 4D lottery tickets. Despite receiving money from passersby, she continues her activities.

Another user recounted an experience of seeing an elderly woman eating directly from leftover plates and offered to buy her a plate of duck rice.

However, the hawker advised that it would be pointless, as the woman allegedly prefers eating leftovers to fresh food. The netizen expressed pity for her situation, noting that other customers had also tried to buy her a meal.

Not the First Time Elderly Individuals Spotted Scavenging for Leftovers at People’s Park Food Centre

This is not the first time elderly individuals have been spotted eating leftover food at People’s Park Food Centre.

In November 2022, 8World News reported that at least seven elderly people allegedly engage in such practice regularly at the hawker centre. These individuals typically search for unfinished food left on tables or at the tray return area.

At that time, in response to inquiries from 8World News, the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) stated that they were collaborating with grassroots volunteers and hawkers to identify these elderly individuals and provide assistance if needed.

MSF encourages the public to report any elderly individuals in need of help by calling 1800-222-0000 or connecting them with local social service agencies through the OneService App.

Property firm OrangeTee and Tie (OrangeTee) has announced its support for the “Safe Havens, Bright Horizons” campaign by Singapore Children’s Society, with a goal to raise $100,000 for the revitalisation of Sunbeam Place, in collaboration with a local art gallery, Living With Art.

Supporting this initiative, which aims to enhance the facility’s safety and create a nurturing environment for its young residents, reflects OrangeTee’s broader goal of making a lasting, positive impact on the community and to help ensure that vulnerable children and youth have the opportunity to thrive and “Find Their Place” in society.

The announcement was made during The Home Expo 2024 (Home Expo) which was presented by OrangeTee held from 13 to 15 September.

Said CEO Justin Quek, “At OrangeTee, our advisers will guide customers through the entire process of finding their dream home from start to finish.

“They understand the journey from the customer’s perspective and are equipped with the knowledge to help them make informed decisions.

“We also aim to win the trust of consumers by supporting them during their research phase, ensuring they feel confident about their property choices.”

The Home Expo successfully brought together thousands of homeowners and potential home buyers, industry experts, and exhibitors under one roof at Suntec City Singapore Exhibition and Convention Centre, with many attendees sharing how the three days have been a pleasant and thoughtful experience over three days.

The event provided a unique opportunity for OrangeTee to connect with their customers on a more personal level, offering a platform where both new and existing homeowners could discover everything they need for their homes while gaining valuable insights into the property Market.

Additionally, 18 OrangeTee industry experts, including Ms Christine Sun (Chief Researcher & Strategist), Ms Nicole Teo (Deputy Branch Associate Director), and Mr Dallas Hassan (Senior Branch Associate Director), took the stage to share their expertise on real estate, investments, and retirement opportunities.

Added Mr Quek,, “With the complexity of real estate, OrangeTee’s speakers at the Home Expo provided in-depth industry knowledge to help buyers make well-informed decisions, avoid pitfalls, and maximise value.

“At OrangeTee, we are primarily a consumer-centric platform and it’s part of our new vision to make real estate accessible and understandable for everyone.”

The Home Expo offered homeowners a comprehensive package, combining quality products with expert advice to enhance their home-buying experience.

Marcus Low, a 41-year-old Director in the Travel Industry, who attended ‘2H 2024 Property Market Outlook’ by Ms Christine Sun, said, “It was insightful to see the property market trends and statistics.

“It opened my eyes to different real estate investment opportunities in HDBs, condominiums and overseas real estate.”

Another Home Expo visitor, a 25-year-old Retail Excellence and Learning Executive, Tanya Bedi, who attended ‘Why is Landed Property a Gem in Singapore?’ by Mr Vincent Lim, shared her thoughts on the overall experience.

She said, “Understanding the different types of properties in Singapore was very interesting.

“It is good to know that the number of landed properties has not changed across the years and it’s definitely something worth investing in.

“As someone who just joined the workforce, it’s good to start planning early rather than wait till the end.”

Beyond the exhibition booths, visitors gained valuable insights into real estate management, wealth protection, and investments in foreign properties through seminars led by respected

OrangeTee experts such as Mr Dan Ho (Senior Division Associate Director), Mr Lester Tan (Chief Advisory Executive Associate Director and Head of AAG Group), and Mr Arthur Lee (Group Associate Director at OrangeTee & Tie) who spoke on areas such as foreign and local

real estate investments, and using real estate to build additional income streams.

These sessions offered attendees a chance to expand their understanding of property markets and make strategic decisions for their future investments.